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Invest Atlanta News

Making an Impact on Atlanta

Scroll down to see the impact and stories of people and places supported through Invest Atlanta programs.

 

2024 At A Glance

3,553

New Jobs Created (Business Attraction and Expansion)

$856.1M

Total Capital Investment

$1.36B

Total Economic Impact

1,524

Affordable Housing Units Financed (Multifamily)

328

Homeownership Incentives (Downpayment Assistance, Owner-Occupied Rehab and Tax Relief)

1,514

Small Businesses Supported (Grants, Loans and Technical Assistance)

 

See What We’ve Been Up To

{"result":[{"id":547,"title":"Building Personal Wealth and Strengthening Communities: The Power of Invest Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund","promo_title":"Building Personal Wealth and Strengthening Communities: The Power of Invest Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund","published_date":"2024-12-10","featured_image":{"id":2724,"parent_id":173,"resource_file_name":"building.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":68929,"resource_updated_at":"2024-12-10T13:06:55.811-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-12-10T13:06:55.832-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:36:13.189-05:00","filename_hash":"building_zyE6mBD.jpg","width":453,"height":677},"filename":"building-personal-wealth-and-strengthening-communities-the-power-of-invest-atlantas-open-for-business-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8C36qw","created_at":"2024-12-10T13:08:00.125-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:36:13.179-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund is reshaping the future of minority-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Backed by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, the fund supports small business owners in building wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u0026nbsp;\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund is reshaping the future of minority-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Backed by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, the fund supports small business owners in building wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough this grant, entrepreneurs received critical funding, guidance and support, enabling them to develop products and services that serve their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAiskrimu Ice Cream: Creating a Sweet Community Impact\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor entrepreneur and physical therapist Jason Davis, opening up an ice cream shop meant fulfilling a life-long dream. Ice cream has always been a love of Jason\u0026rsquo;s as it serves as a comfort food that you can enjoy with family and friends any day or every day. Seeing a gap in his area for a nearby dessert destination, Jason partnered with Open for Business to create \u003ca href=\"https://aiskrimuicecreambar.com\"\u003eAiskrimu Ice Cream Bar\u003c/a\u003e (which means ice cream in Swahili) in Cascade Heights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJason\u0026rsquo;s journey began in March 2020 when he started researching locations for his shop and found a clothing boutique that would work perfectly. After signing up for Invest Atlanta emails, he came across the Open for Business program and immediately applied in spring of 2022. Jason became a recipient of The Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG), receiving $38,000 to bring the space up to code and renovate the location into a welcoming and bright community spot for people and their pets.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Aiskrimu, Jason is humbled by the success of his business. Aiskrimu is projected to double sales and the team has now expanded with the addition of one\u0026nbsp;full-time employee and one\u0026nbsp;part-time employee. Additional enhancements like new equipment (including an upright freezer) to sell cakes and pints along with an expanded menu are ensuring more patrons can enjoy all that Askrimu has to offer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThere is great pride in opening a dessert spot in a food desert, all of which wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be possible without support from the Open for Business program. Jason shared,\u0026ldquo;I can\u0026#39;t reiterate enough how thankful I am to have been a recipient of the OFB Grant. It lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders. I was able to focus on growth rather than worrying about financial strains.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Dogz: Pawsitive and Secure Pet Boarding and Daycare\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAzhia Brown is a local change maker. A dog lover and young entrepreneur, Azhia saw a gap during the pandemic for safe and secure doggie daycare and boarding in her community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRight before 2020, she launched her business \u003ca href=\"https://citydogzatl.com/\"\u003eCity Dogz ATL\u003c/a\u003e, a unique boutique dog grooming and boarding facility. The opening of her business not only offered community members a trustworthy location for their pets to play and a space for pet owners to connect with one another, it also engaged individuals in the area looking for employment. After opening and feeling the challenges of many first time business owners, she found Invest Atlanta and applied for the the Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFast forward to today and City Dogz has created jobs and a safe outdoor space for pets in an urban area thanks to support from Open for Business. The funds helped Azhia\u0026nbsp;scale the business by transforming a parking lot into a secured area for dogs. This upgrade has tripled the number of dogs they can accommodate daily\u0026mdash;from a maximum of seven\u0026nbsp;to up to 25.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the grant funded mixed-use container spaces for better organization and storage, which has streamlined their operations. With this growth, Azhia has expanded her team, now employing four\u0026nbsp;full-time and two\u0026nbsp;part-time staff members. She\u0026rsquo;s also committed to involving the community, focusing on hiring local talent and creating job opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReflecting on her progress, Azhia is so grateful for the Open for Business Fund, sharing,\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is such a great resource for small businesses. In an area that needs redevelopment, having support helps individuals like me explore and encourages growth. It is important to be involved in the community we serve and Invest Atlanta made that happen for us!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":546,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for 218 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for 218 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2024-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2723,"parent_id":173,"resource_file_name":"martin2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":165398,"resource_updated_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:03.879-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:03.913-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:31:48.018-05:00","filename_hash":"martin2_YW2oqnL.jpg","width":910,"height":685},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-financing-for-218-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ocz_7A","created_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:43.829-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:31:47.994-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As part of its ongoing commitment to address the acute need for affordable housing and create more inclusive communities that cater to all residents, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $23.7 million in financing that will create or preserve 218 affordable housing units, including both single-family and multifamily options.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs part of its ongoing commitment to address the acute need for affordable housing and create more inclusive communities that cater to all residents, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $23.7 million in financing that will create or preserve 218 affordable housing units, including both single-family and multifamily options.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Affordable housing is not a one-size-fits-all solution,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens, who serves as the Invest Atlanta Board chair, \u0026ldquo;so we need to ensure our investments meet people where they are \u0026ndash; whether that is single residents, families or seniors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy leveraging different funding mechanisms, Invest Atlanta, in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, mobilizes resources to drive impactful projects throughout the city and helps close the housing affordability gap. Invest Atlanta has closed on financing to support the creation or preservation of 4,581 affordable housing units since the start of 2022. This amounts to a $1.5 billion total capital investment for housing in the city of Atlanta in support of Mayor Dickens\u0026rsquo; goal of creating or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBelow are the latest projects approved for Invest Atlanta financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMartin House \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $20 million tax-exempt bond will support National Church Residences\u0026rsquo; acquisition and rehabilitation of 152 senior housing units at 60% of the area median income (AMI) in the Adamsville neighborhood. Originally constructed in 2005, Martin House is a 20-year-old senior-living property in need of renovation to its common areas and resident units. The investment will help preserve affordability at Martin House for another 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHomes for the Future \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $1.47 million investment of Housing Opportunity Bond financing will help acquire 40 single-family rental units across Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southwest neighborhoods \u0026ndash; 21 of which will be made affordable at 80% AMI or below. The future goal of the project is to convert these units into affordable homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAtlanta Single Family Homes Affordable Preservation Project \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $2 million investment of Housing Opportunity Bond financing will help the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership accelerate the acquisition and rehabilitation of 40 single-family residential rental houses across the city of Atlanta. Homes will serve as affordable rentals for up to 10 years ranging from 30%-80% AMI with a goal of converting many of the units into affordable homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e471 English Avenue\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $260,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant will aid in the redevelopment of a multifamily building in the English Avenue neighborhood. The project will convert an existing quadraplex into six units of affordable housing, including five restricted at rents not to exceed 50% AMI. The developer is an English Avenue legacy resident who acquired the property in 2012 and participated in the Invest Atlanta 2017 Westside TAD Community Builders Program, which was created to teach core property redevelopment skills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, children who have stable, affordable housing are 52% more likely to graduate from high school compared to those who experience housing instability or live in unaffordable housing. \u0026ldquo;Safe, affordable housing is a primary determiner of economic mobility and quality of life for many Atlanta residents,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;The investments we are making will have a very meaningful impact on families in communities across the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":545,"title":"Innovative Hospitality Community Coming to Castleberry Hill","promo_title":"Innovative Hospitality Community Coming to Castleberry Hill","published_date":"2024-10-24","featured_image":{"id":2721,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mark4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92417,"resource_updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:31:27.092-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-11-06T14:31:27.115-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.088-05:00","filename_hash":"mark4_7kNggwM.jpg","width":615,"height":505},"filename":"innovative-hospitality-community-coming-to-castleberry-hill","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"csOJEg","created_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.069-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.069-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $940,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) forgivable loan will fund a new, mixed-used hospitality community in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in close proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $940,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) forgivable loan will fund a new, mixed-used hospitality community in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in close proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium. The loan, which was approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, will pave the way for the conversion of a vacant brownfield into a four-story, 4,000-square-foot facility featuring a culinary kitchen incubator and boutique hotel.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chef-forward kitchen and restaurant incubator will offer space for local creatives and chefs and will function as a residency program to showcase their products and develop their culinary and hospitality skills. The space will include indoor/outdoor dining, a small market area to sell food products and a communal living room where people can bond through food.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA 30-room hotel will be located on top of the incubator. Hotel revenue will offset the overall costs to support the food programming, provide additional foot traffic to the food spaces and offer a platform to expose local Atlanta businesses to the city\u0026rsquo;s global visitors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe hospitality community will also feature a rooftop greenhouse and garden connecting food entrepreneurs with local farms, vendors and suppliers and serve as a source of herbs and produce for the chefs. Rent in the commercial incubator space will be 20% below-market rate, and during vacancy periods, hotel rooms can be used for an onsite, chef-in-residence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":541,"title":"Marketing Tech Maven: Cold Mountain Consulting","promo_title":"Marketing Tech Maven: Cold Mountain Consulting","published_date":"2024-10-01","featured_image":{"id":2709,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_7734.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":126348,"resource_updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:53:32.465-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-10-01T14:53:32.484-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.591-04:00","filename_hash":"img_7734_4BjZeBx.jpeg","width":599,"height":799},"filename":"marketing-tech-maven-cold-mountain-consulting","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uvouqQ","created_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.582-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.582-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://coldmtconsulting.com/\"\u003eCold Mountain Consulting\u003c/a\u003e founder and CEO Olivia Rios is the definition of perseverance. After partnering with law firms on marketing technology for more than a decade, Olivia felt the now-or-never pull in 2019 to launch her own consulting company.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://coldmtconsulting.com/\"\u003eCold Mountain Consulting\u003c/a\u003e founder and CEO Olivia Rios is the definition of perseverance. After partnering with law firms on marketing technology for more than a decade, Olivia felt the now-or-never pull in 2019 to launch her own consulting company.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA Latina woman-owned business, Cold Mountain Consulting provides analysis and solutions for legal marketing technology challenges. With momentum building, Olivia had her eye on a brick-and-mortar location, until the pandemic hit the pause button. Olivia instead found herself exploring grant options and resources to keep her business afloat.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe months that followed brought the hope needed to boost her confidence. During her search, Olivia secured a woman-owned business certification and received a handful of small grants, including a Red Backpack Fund grant from Sarah Blakely. She remained determined.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As an entrepreneur, there are days that you question everything,\u0026rdquo; says Olivia. \u0026ldquo;I was making strides and knew I had to keep going!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs she continued her efforts to grow Cold Mountain Consulting, Olivia discovered Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-creatives/womens-entrepreneurship-initiative\"\u003eWomen Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e in early 2023. After being accepted into the program, she attended a WEI event and heard about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOlivia immediately applied for the Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, which offers low-interest financing to help existing business owners in Atlanta purchase commercial property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The people at Invest Atlanta were so incredible,\u0026rdquo; shares Olivia. \u0026ldquo;The team kept checking in on me to see what I needed. They just showed up!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOlivia secured a $250,000 loan, which allowed her to put a down payment on a historic commercial property on Marietta Street and close in 30 days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of our mission at Cold Mountain Consulting is to empower the community, which we are now able to do by inviting partners to utilize our space for educational events for women, Latinos and other community members,\u0026rdquo; says Olivia. \u0026ldquo;We wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be in the space or position we\u0026rsquo;re in without the support of Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":539,"title":"Mercer Street Meals: From Home Kitchen to Commercial Success","promo_title":"Mercer Street Meals: From Home Kitchen to Commercial Success","published_date":"2024-09-12","featured_image":{"id":2705,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_6969.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1792437,"resource_updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:05.226-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:05.398-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:30.040-04:00","filename_hash":"img_6969_mJq6r1P.jpg","width":5712,"height":4284},"filename":"mercer-street-meals-from-home-kitchen-to-commercial-success","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oTK68A","created_at":"2024-09-12T12:59:14.110-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:30.032-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mercer Street Meals recently made a significant leap forward thanks to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund. The funding enabled the business to transition from a home kitchen to a fully equipped commercial kitchen.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMercer Street Meals recently made a significant leap forward thanks to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund. The funding enabled the business to transition from a home kitchen to a fully equipped commercial kitchen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e aims to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in crucial assets like commercial space, equipment, and technology. Supported by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, this fund has been instrumental in enabling businesses like Mercer Street Meals to grow and thrive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the inception of Mercer Street Meals, owners Lance and Gracie Gummere were no strangers to the food industry. They previously managed a restaurant that served breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. This hectic lifestyle left little room for family or downtime. Now, with Mercer Street Meals, the Gummeres have found a more balanced approach. Their new business operates five nights a week with an additional breakfast service on Sundays, allowing them to enjoy a more controlled and family-oriented lifestyle.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMercer Street Meals was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when neighbors, aware of Lance\u0026rsquo;s professional chef background, approached him for home-cooked meals. With restaurants closed and Lance out of work, he agreed - and what started as a service for neighbors on Mercer Street gradually expanded to the entire neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecognizing the challenge in providing a nutritious meal after a long workday, Mercer Street Meals specializes in pre-order, ready-made and high-quality meals. \u0026ldquo;We are committed to providing good, nutritious meals at an affordable price, making everyday life a little easier for busy families,\u0026rdquo; Gracie tells us.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith support from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Recovery Loan, Lance and Gracie renovated a commercial space they found in their neighborhood, as it was important for them to stay close to their customer base. They recently marked one year at their new space and are thrilled to continue to serve the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRunning a small business comes with its own set of challenges, the most significant being competition with larger brands. \u0026ldquo;We have been fortunate to attract customers who specifically seek out local, independent eateries,\u0026rdquo; Lance explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund proved to be a perfect match for Mercer Street Meals. The funding provided the assistance needed to establish a commercial kitchen and significantly reduce the financial burden of launching a new small business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or place an order, visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.mercerstreetmeals.com/order\"\u003ehttps://www.mercerstreetmeals.com/order\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":537,"title":"C-PACE Financing Leads to Significant Energy Efficiencies","promo_title":"C-PACE Financing Leads to Significant Energy Efficiencies","published_date":"2024-09-04","featured_image":{"id":2698,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"origin2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92881,"resource_updated_at":"2024-09-04T12:20:40.624-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-09-04T12:20:40.652-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-09T13:12:18.557-04:00","filename_hash":"origin2_P1XnawX.jpg","width":732,"height":622},"filename":"c-pace-financing-leads-to-significant-energy-efficiencies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Bok7Bg","created_at":"2024-09-04T12:21:02.482-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-09T13:12:18.525-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has closed two more Atlanta Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) projects \u0026ndash; helping PREP ATL South and the Origin Hotel incorporate high-efficiency measures to further the City\u0026rsquo;s clean energy goals.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved two more Atlanta \u003ca href=\"/developers/opportunities-incentives/pace\"\u003eCommercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)\u003c/a\u003e projects \u0026ndash; helping PREP ATL South and the Origin Hotel incorporate high-efficiency measures to further the City\u0026rsquo;s clean energy goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePREP ATL South\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePREP ATL South, a shared commercial kitchen space tailored for food truck owners and food production companies, will utilize $1.95 million in C-PACE financing for its facility in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood. High-efficiency upgrades will help PREP ATL South save more than $64,000 in annual energy and water costs and eliminate almost 300,000 pounds of CO2 emissions each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin Hotel\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat was once a vacant commercial building in Downtown Atlanta is now being transformed into an upscale hospitality development. In addition to activating the community, the Origin Hotel will utilize $4.99 million in high-efficiency measures that will generate almost $20,000 in annual utility savings and eliminate over 200,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe C-PACE program provides financing to help companies make needed structural property repairs and upgrades to save energy and water. A wide range of commercial property types qualify for C-PACE financing, including hospitality, retail, mixed-use and multifamily buildings. Property owners can choose from hundreds of eligible building improvements, ranging from windows and doors to roofing, solar panel arrays and HVAC units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince January 2024, four projects have received more than $13 million in C-PACE financing through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":535,"title":"PREP for Success","promo_title":"PREP for Success","published_date":"2024-07-29","featured_image":{"id":2681,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4e0a9969x2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2318686,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-29T13:14:10.440-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-29T13:14:10.603-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:44:25.083-04:00","filename_hash":"4e0a9969x2_lPZYzLQ.jpg","width":4695,"height":4222},"filename":"prep-for-success","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yKmWfQ","created_at":"2024-07-29T13:15:44.967-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:44:25.073-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Ch\u0026eacute; Houston has been baking and decorating desserts for almost 30 years. During that time, she\u0026rsquo;s also overcome addiction and housing insecurity. Through it all, she knew her potential and that she could one day help others.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCh\u0026eacute; Houston has been baking and decorating desserts for almost 30 years. During that time, she\u0026rsquo;s also overcome addiction and housing insecurity. Through it all, she knew her potential and that she could one day help others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I always wanted to open my own business and tried many times,\u0026rdquo; explains Ch\u0026eacute;, founder of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cherenemacarons.com/\"\u003eCh\u0026eacute; Ren\u0026eacute; Macarons \u0026amp; More\u003c/a\u003e, which features French Macarons with Southern finesse. \u0026ldquo;When I was finally able to legitimize my side hustle, I outgrew my home kitchen within six months.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s when Ch\u0026eacute; found \u003ca href=\"https://www.prepkitchens.com/?utm_source=reachlocal\u0026amp;utm_medium=cpc\u0026amp;utm_campaign=semprepatlantasharedkitchens\u0026amp;scid=4246564\u0026amp;kw=31424831\u0026amp;pub_cr_id=670173269713\u0026amp;device=c\u0026amp;network=g\u0026amp;targetid=kwd-323738352602\u0026amp;loc_interest_ms\u0026amp;loc_physical_ms=9010770\u0026amp;tc=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHieFgkNrbnoTtOJIvBbFV4CWI7tjCrIAllELEaqiy_IebhQsSqvDsehoC_IUQAvD_BwE\u0026amp;rl_key=24defbe97a3db5b27c7f7b9e73827c9c\"\u003ePREP\u003c/a\u003e, a culinary accelerator platform that provides shared kitchen environments for food entrepreneurs, along with operational resources, consultation and other essential services like marketing, branding and networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The team at PREP helped me maneuver my way through the food service industry and get my business rolling,\u0026rdquo; says Ch\u0026eacute;. \u0026ldquo;They also offer constant support and encouragement. They take the time to explain things; they push me; they see me for who I am and what I\u0026rsquo;m trying to accomplish.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCh\u0026eacute; is one of 280 members in the PREP culinary ecosystem that includes more than 200,000 square feet of commercial kitchen space locations throughout Atlanta and one in Austin, Texas. PREP also has multiple spinoffs, including three Truck \u0026amp; Tap restaurant locations; PREP Food Junction \u0026ndash; a permanent station for food trucks; ChowDownATL \u0026ndash; an online ordering and takeout platform for PREP members; and PH\u0026rsquo;EAST, a Far East Street Feast, inspired by the hawker markets of Asia that offers small food operators a place to set up shop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our goal is to elevate local food entrepreneurs who desire to be part of a community,\u0026rdquo; explains Mitch Jaffe, PREP founder and CEO. \u0026ldquo;We offer the facilities, services, resources and network to remove barriers to entry and scale their business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePREP, in fact, has created some 800 jobs in Atlanta and continues to expand with the opening of its fifth shared kitchen location \u0026ndash; PREP ATL South. It was during this expansion project that Mitch and Doug Marranci, PREP founder and COO, first connected with Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mitch, the Invest Atlanta team helped PREP connect with city leaders, generate support and navigate the various approval processes. \u0026ldquo;From the very first call with Invest Atlanta, we felt welcome, supported and valued,\u0026rdquo; says Mitch. \u0026ldquo;The team took time to understand our business and have been active partners in identifying the services and connections that can help us achieve our goals.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDoug says one of those goals includes serving as a conduit to Invest Atlanta services for PREP members. \u0026ldquo;The team at Invest Atlanta is focused and connected and has so much to offer small businesses,\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;We plan to showcase Invest Atlanta services in our new community space at PREP ATL South so our members have access to every resource available.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Ch\u0026eacute;, the PREP ecosystem goes far beyond providing a kitchen facility and resources to grow her business; it\u0026rsquo;s put her in a position to hire others on a similar life journey who are transitioning back into the workforce. \u0026ldquo;PREP helped me create a space and livelihood for people who are working towards their own long-term recovery,\u0026rdquo; says Ch\u0026eacute;. \u0026ldquo;It pulls at my heart. This business is bigger than me; it\u0026rsquo;s my purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":531,"title":"ATLinBusiness Helps Craft Success for Esse Event Planning","promo_title":"ATLinBusiness Helps Craft Success for Esse Event Planning","published_date":"2024-07-16","featured_image":{"id":2671,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"reception_7_bts1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":489088,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:16.571-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:16.610-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.381-04:00","filename_hash":"reception_7_bts1_3ko8jxJ.jpg","width":1500,"height":1200},"filename":"atlinbusiness-helps-craft-success-for-esse-event-planning","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pxGjvw","created_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.359-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.359-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n From college event planning to a thriving business venture, Atlanta entrepreneur Sidney Hayes has transformed her passion into reality with Esse Event Planning.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFrom college event planning to a thriving business venture, Atlanta entrepreneur Sidney Hayes has transformed her passion into reality with \u003ca href=\"https://www.esseevents.com/\"\u003eEsse Event Planning\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;It\u0026#39;s more than just an event; it\u0026#39;s about crafting a unique and individual experience,\u0026quot; says Hayes. \u0026quot;Events are personal, and I take the time to understand my clients to tailor each event to their personalities.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEstablishing Esse Event Planning in 2021 was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Hayes built her skill set by collaborating with upscale restaurants on weddings and apprenticing alongside Atlanta-based wedding and event planners, gaining invaluable experience along the way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHowever, the turning point for Esse Event Planning came when Hayes reached out to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e program. Partnering with a financial consultant through the program provided Hayes with crucial guidance and insight into launching and growing her business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;Invest Atlanta is like a personal mentor and business partner,\u0026quot; Hayes explains. \u0026quot;They guide you through the process of building a business, offering unwavering support every step of the way.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEsse Event Planning stands as a testament to Hayes\u0026#39; commitment to crafting personalized, accessible, and meaningful events. She emphasizes the value of the support received through the ATLinBusiness program and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s resources.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;You can\u0026#39;t expect success to fall into your lap; it requires hard work and dedication,\u0026quot; Hayes advises. \u0026quot;ATLinBusiness is a great starting point for anyone considering starting a new business.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness, provided by Invest Atlanta, offers no-cost services to entrepreneurs within the City of Atlanta. The program simplifies growing a business, providing tailored support in areas of expertise selected by business owners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor entrepreneurs looking to turn their dreams into reality, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s ATLinBusiness program offers a valuable pathway to sustainable success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":530,"title":"From Big Tech to Big Community Impact","promo_title":"From Big Tech to Big Community Impact","published_date":"2024-07-10","featured_image":{"id":2672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mg0a31611.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1440247,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:03:19.160-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-16T12:03:19.260-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-06T12:26:13.222-04:00","filename_hash":"mg0a31611_k38bRke.jpg","width":3840,"height":3072},"filename":"from-big-tech-to-big-community-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9dyWaA","created_at":"2024-07-10T16:28:27.011-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-06T12:26:13.196-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor Dillon Moses, founder of Dillon Digitals, now operating as OceanViews AI, building a technology company goes hand in hand with building an inclusive community. As the leader of a Black-owned technology company leveraging data analysis and AI, Dillon embodies the belief that technology is a multiplier for good. His journey highlights the potential to transform gaps into opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDillon began his career as a technology consultant, working with organizations like US Bank, where he honed his skills identifying data patterns to solve complex problems. In 2012, he launched Dillon Digital to combat a troubling trend: technology often exacerbates income inequality. His goal is to break these barriers and provide unbiased AI data analyst insights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our mission is to find ways for technology to positively impact society,\u0026rdquo; said Dillon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDillon knew he needed alternative funding sources to grow his business because underrepresented entrepreneurs receive less than 2% of Venture Capital funding. An opportunity came his way when he learned about Atlanta Open for Business through a colleague who attended an Invest Atlanta networking event. Learning about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s involvement in the start-up community excited Dillon as he viewed the organization as a bridge to help diversify Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s blossoming tech scene.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOceanviews AI was selected as the first Atlanta Start-up Growth Loan Program recipient and awarded $150,000. The funding, part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, provided a six-month runway to build and scale without the immediate pressure of repayment. Dillon used the funds to hire an additional software engineer and upgrade the company\u0026#39;s servers\u0026ndash;both critical investments to enable the development of advanced technology solutions, including AI, to expand the organization\u0026rsquo;s reach and impact.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e helps small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets, such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://stories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This experience shows the power of collaborating with policy makers and leaders who can create these opportunities,\u0026rdquo; shared Dillon. \u0026ldquo;I am proud to be a program ambassador and hope to inspire more founders to take advantage of these resources.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Oceanviews, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.oceanviews.ai/\"\u003ewww.oceanviews.ai\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":526,"title":"New State Opportunity Zones Approved in Atlanta ","promo_title":"New State Opportunity Zones Approved in Atlanta ","published_date":"2024-07-03","featured_image":{"id":435,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"istock-516599252.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":351488,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-05T16:02:40.241-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-01-05T16:02:40.505-05:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T16:50:27.701-04:00","filename_hash":"istock-516599252_npZWpm4.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"new-state-opportunity-zones-approved-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-5enWg","created_at":"2024-07-09T16:50:27.694-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T16:50:27.694-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has designated new Opportunity Zones in Southwest Atlanta to help encourage business growth, job creation and economic revitalization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpportunity Zones provide a federal incentive in the form of a tax credit to businesses that create jobs within designated areas deemed economically distressed.\u0026nbsp;The new zones include areas along Campbellton Road near the Greenbriar Mall and areas along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Bringing new investment and jobs to Campbellton Road, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and other key corridors is a vital part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development strategy,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;These new Opportunity Zone designations will encourage small business investment that leads to increased prosperity for residents in these communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe parcels of land along Campbellton Road (primarily Atlanta City Council District 11) and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (primarily Atlanta City Council District 10) met the DCA requirements for Opportunity Zone status, such as underdevelopment, blighted conditions and general distress. Businesses located on these specific parcels are eligible to apply for the Opportunity Zone tax credit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta coordinates the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone program and, according to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the incentive has a positive, long-term effect \u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones will accelerate the impact we are making in these communities through the Tax Allocation Districts along these corridors and other economic development programs,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;In the last five years, the Opportunity Zone program has created 4,601 jobs in underinvested areas of the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCampbellton Road and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive are two of nine currently active State of Georgia Opportunity Zones in the city. The $3,500 per job state tax credit is available to businesses that create at least two jobs in a tax year. Georgia Opportunity Zone tax credits are good for up to five years and a maximum of $17,500 as long the jobs are maintained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpportunity Zones were established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As of 2024, there are 8,764 Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) in the United States designated to spur economic growth and investment in economically distressed areas through tax incentives. Each state and territory nominate their own zones, which are then certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone program, visit \u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.investatlanta.com\u0026amp;c=E,1,O6QczIIVcVg01shBrrGP5E6Dl3F5UAEbs7sEq4I1QCT0K8o_k0ThqnU56m2q5bwlfyDLVwpgPI-WA3WcCTKZ7AFssXZk00SCOyeh0G4trWaePlc,\u0026amp;typo=1\u0026amp;ancr_add=1\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dca.ga.gov\u0026amp;c=E,1,y6vCMNmLPgyLMLwUuyOu28MNwedErrErVyUHjuYBlZd5zoO4rvdqQWVGLY67T_1B9gJ9xIoPf0HxPpRlwpoDn0JP2OhBKgFYgl0PHOa6J_s,\u0026amp;typo=1\u0026amp;ancr_add=1\"\u003ewww.dca.ga.gov\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":523,"title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund Making a Difference","promo_title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund Making a Difference","published_date":"2024-05-29","featured_image":{"id":769,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"campbellton_road_mantle.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2262514,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-28T10:13:41.006-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-11-28T10:13:41.139-05:00","updated_at":"2024-06-04T16:27:47.747-04:00","filename_hash":"campbellton_road_mantle_oMJewEN.png","width":1800,"height":689},"filename":"atlanta-open-for-business-fund-making-a-difference","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ak4_1A","created_at":"2024-05-29T15:51:18.556-04:00","updated_at":"2024-06-04T16:27:47.725-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In the heart of Atlanta\u0026#39;s bustling economic landscape lies Invest Atlanta: a hub for small businesses navigating the city\u0026#39;s competitive landscape. One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s programs, the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, is making a difference.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is often said to be the economic epicenter of the Southeast. The city boasts a multifaceted economy, corporate giants, film studios and the world\u0026#39;s busiest airport. While many notice the growth in these large corporations, small businesses are also a thriving network, comprising nearly 15,000 enterprises, many of which are Black-owned\u0026mdash;a testament to Atlanta\u0026#39;s diverse entrepreneurial spirit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the heart of Atlanta\u0026#39;s bustling economic landscape lies Invest Atlanta: a hub for small businesses navigating the city\u0026#39;s competitive landscape. One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s programs, the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, is making a difference.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs we conclude Small Business Month, the spotlight turns to how this program is making a big impact on small businesses in the city. In 2022, Wells Fargo made a $20 million philanthropic investment into the city, through partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, to help grow small businesses. Since launching two years ago, nearly $9 million has been provided in grants, loans and technical assistance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Atlanta is a great city, but there remains a significant wealth gap. Part of closing that gap is helping small businesses thrive long term with greater access to capital and expertise,\u0026rdquo; emphasizes Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo Tai Roberson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Public-private partnerships that support minority businesses play a big role in increasing economic equity in Atlanta. According to national averages, 35 percent of white business owners received all the financing they applied for, compared to 16 percent of Black business owners. The Atlanta Open for Business Fund is helping to level that playing field,\u0026rdquo; added Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Open for Business has not only provided financial assistance to local businesses\u0026ndash;it has also served as a catalyst for tangible change. To date, more than 200 small businesses have been supported through four different funds and technical assistance services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e: 58 loans closed since inception, $4,826,000 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant\u003c/a\u003e: 51 grants closed, $2,409,050 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-down-payment-assistance\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e: 5 loans closed, $1,165,000 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-startup-growth-program\"\u003eAtlanta Startup Growth Loan\u003c/a\u003e: 5 loans closed, $576,500 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/atlanta-open-for-business-fund/\"\u003eTechnical Assistance\u003c/a\u003e: 169 businesses, 1,487 hours of technical assistance provided\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e85.6% of OFB businesses funded are minority-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e78.8% of OFB businesses funded are Black-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e66% of OFB funded businesses are women-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses are the lifeblood of our city\u0026rsquo;s vibrant economy. Through initiatives like the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, we are not just investing in businesses, but in the future of children, families and communities,\u0026rdquo; says \u003ca href=\"https://unitedwayatlanta.org/\"\u003eUnited Way of Greater Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e President and CEO Milton J. Little, Jr.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;These efforts support United Way\u0026rsquo;s Child Well-Being Agenda and are essential in closing the wealth gap to ensure that all entrepreneurs, especially minority and women-owned businesses, have the opportunity to thrive. The success of this program underscores the impact of public-private partnerships and community support in fostering economic equity and resilience in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Open for Business is more than numbers. At the heart of our success are the people whose lives have been touched and their businesses forever changed. This program is not only about funds but also about the power and pride of community support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParis Stewart, owner of Tall Towers and recipient of the Commercial Property Improvement Grant shares, \u0026quot;I have learned so much about my business. The money helped me rebuild my building\u0026mdash;floors, electrical infrastructure. You are going to get more than funds. You are going to get a support system.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGinny Hodges McLendon, Senior Consultant with the Wells Fargo Foundation remarks, \u0026quot;As we enter into the last year of the program, we are excited to see what type of groundwork this investment has made to strengthen the small business community over the long term. It will go well beyond this three-year and $20 million investment, with life-changing wins for small businesses as we move forward together.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn a city teeming with opportunities, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund stands as a testament to the power of community, collaboration and unwavering commitment. As Small Business Month unfolds, let us celebrate not just the numbers, but the stories of resilience, innovation and a true testament to the enduring spirit of Atlanta\u0026#39;s small business community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":519,"title":"Koncept House: Opening Doors and Spaces for Local Atlanta Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Koncept House: Opening Doors and Spaces for Local Atlanta Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2024-04-18","featured_image":{"id":2623,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"anthony-5.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4717903,"resource_updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:01:39.532-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-04-18T12:01:41.254-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:55.825-04:00","filename_hash":"anthony-5_NZokDj5.jpg","width":2670,"height":4000},"filename":"koncept-house-opening-doors-and-spaces-for-local-atlanta-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"tiveMg","created_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:51.679-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:51.679-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n For Koncept House founder Anthony Gee, entrepreneurship is a family tradition.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor Koncept House founder Anthony Gee, entrepreneurship is a family tradition. Gee watched his mother build her own salon when he was a young boy, which instilled lifelong lessons that would go on to serve him\u0026nbsp;in powerful ways. Koncept House in Castleberry Hill embodies this legacy of supporting others, serving as a nontraditional co-working space that provides flexible, creative environments for entrepreneurs. Koncept House partners with 28 entrepreneurs\u0026ndash;a majority of which are Black female creators\u0026ndash;who offer a range of services and products from skincare to coffee, vitamins and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the opening of Koncept House in 2019, Gee saw more and more growth but not enough spaces to accommodate burgeoning entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;As the waitlist of entrepreneurs kept growing, I knew there was a demand for a second location of Koncept House,\u0026rdquo; Gee says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHaving a different business model, he knew they needed a different type of funding partner.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Financing is challenging because people don\u0026rsquo;t understand our market,\u0026rdquo; he explains \u0026ldquo;If you are a bank you don\u0026rsquo;t want to back a place with a bunch of small companies. It isn\u0026rsquo;t traditional coworking. Our business model is very different.\u0026rdquo; This led him to search for a less traditional funding source--one he found in the Atlanta Open for Business Fund - \u003ca href=\"http://investatlanta.com/cdpa\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e (CDPA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCDPA offers low-interest financing to assist existing business owners in the city of Atlanta with purchasing commercial property. Through this program, Gee and his team were able to receive the guidance and financial support needed to make their dream of a second location a reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe impact of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund on Koncept House will reverberate for years to come. Through CDPA, Koncept House\u0026rsquo;s new location on the Beltline will house 15-18 entrepreneurs and provide them the space and support needed to take their next steps in fulfilling their entrepreneurial goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https://www.koncepthouse.com/\"\u003eKoncept House\u003c/a\u003e to learn more about their incredible entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":520,"title":"What Happens When Entrepreneurs Dream","promo_title":"What Happens When Entrepreneurs Dream","published_date":"2024-04-15","featured_image":{"id":2625,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_7914.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2073727,"resource_updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:13.563-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:13.749-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T15:50:18.522-04:00","filename_hash":"img_7914_OzoVyP6.jpg","width":1284,"height":1470},"filename":"what-happens-when-entrepreneurs-dream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WhoYlQ","created_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:54.319-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:54.319-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHaving a business idea is the easy part. Figuring out how to execute it can get tricky. That\u0026rsquo;s exactly the position Lauren Watts found herself when she initially created \u003ca href=\"https://www.bloo-print.com/\"\u003eBlooPrint\u003c/a\u003e Imaginative Play, an educational subscription box company based in Atlanta. The idea came to Watts during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when children were not in school. Lauren wanted to create something fun that the kids could do while they learn at home - practical activities that introduced them to new careers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;d tried different strategies, and nothing kind of took, because I felt like no one could truly understand what I was doing, or could point me to the resources as to where I could get this done,\u0026rdquo; Lauren explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAfter Lauren applied for a business license, she discovered the resources the ATLinBusiness program offered. She was partnered with one of the skilled consultants in the program for help.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It gave me confidence. We sat down and discussed marketing and built a strategy. It was intense in a good way. I learned a lot. I was able to get my company trademarked in this process thanks to their guidance,\u0026rdquo; Lauren said.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBuiness is a program provided by Invest Atlanta. It provides no-cost services to entrepreneurs inside the city of Atlanta. The process is simple: apply for the program, get partnered with a consultant, then work together to grow your business. Business owners can select what area of expertise they need support.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;After success with marketing, Lauren was paired with another consultant to work on e-commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;And the fact that it\u0026#39;s free, I feel almost spoiled that everyone is not literally taking advantage of this. It\u0026#39;s almost effortless. In a sense, it\u0026#39;s like you have your own personal professional in your back pocket just to make sure that you\u0026#39;re going down the right path. I\u0026#39;m super grateful,\u0026rdquo; Lauren says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBlooPrint started as a subscription box but Lauren\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;vision is\u0026nbsp;to have a physical space in Atlanta where children can dream big and actively play.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;ATLinBusiness wants small businesses to thrive in the city. They have given me so many resources, and I know I can count on them to keep helping me grow,\u0026rdquo; she adds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShe says while she could try and navigate it alone, she won\u0026rsquo;t have to because Invest Atlanta is in her corner.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eReady to level up your business? If you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":517,"title":"The First Step to a New Life","promo_title":"The First Step to a New Life","published_date":"2024-03-27","featured_image":{"id":2614,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"firststep-55.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":998284,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-27T13:30:59.622-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-27T13:31:00.819-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:23.192-04:00","filename_hash":"firststep-55_nMzwPgY.jpg","width":3600,"height":2400},"filename":"the-first-step-to-a-new-life","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fLBJlA","created_at":"2024-03-27T13:31:59.166-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:23.168-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.firststepstaffing.com/\"\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;combines its nonprofit mission with for-profit expertise to offer meaningful staffing solutions for local business partners. It is the largest nonprofit employment agency in the country that provides comprehensive skills training and job placement services to its clients \u0026ndash; most of whom face significant employment barriers.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.firststepstaffing.com/\"\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u003c/a\u003e combines its nonprofit mission with for-profit expertise to offer meaningful staffing solutions for local business partners. It is the largest nonprofit employment agency in the country that provides comprehensive skills training and job placement services to its clients \u0026ndash; most of whom face significant employment barriers.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt First Step, people who are experiencing homelessness, who have a criminal history or who have physical or mental disabilities are given a chance at meaningful employment and opportunities for economic stability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo support the organization\u0026rsquo;s continued growth and impact, Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) closed on an $11 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction. This funding will help increase First Step\u0026rsquo;s employee retention services to support 700 clients and grow its temporary job placement program to support 3,000 clients, an increase of 900 clients annually.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe AEMI funding will also support the expansion of Second Step, a job training and certification program that focuses on high-demand, high-wage industries, including warehouse logistics and distribution, construction, IT support and commercial truck driving.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSecond Step and employee retention services programs are currently being piloted in Atlanta. They will be scaled in eight markets across the U.S. \u0026ndash; expanding First Step\u0026rsquo;s vision to create opportunity and dignity through employment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCreated by Invest Atlanta, AEMI is a certified community development entity that fosters economic development, job creation and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underinvested communities. It specializes in gap financing for businesses and developers with large-scale projects, as well as social impact enterprises and nonprofits seeking low-cost capital.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":515,"title":"Wadada: Serving Up Healthy Living and Hospitality in Atlanta ","promo_title":"Wadada: Serving Up Healthy Living and Hospitality in Atlanta ","published_date":"2024-03-13","featured_image":{"id":2604,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"headshot_wadada_backdrop.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":4662043,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:18.143-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:18.954-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T14:52:25.006-04:00","filename_hash":"headshot_wadada_backdrop_g3Dqaoe.png","width":1522,"height":1908},"filename":"wadada-serving-up-healthy-living-and-hospitality-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Pw91HQ","created_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:51.316-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T14:52:24.924-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jeanette Sellers is the proud owner of Wadada Healthy Market \u0026amp; Juice Bar, Atlanta\u0026#39;s first black-owned and woman-owned vegan grocery store and juice bar.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJeanette Sellers is the proud owner of Wadada Healthy Market \u0026amp; Juice Bar, Atlanta\u0026#39;s first Black-owned and woman-owned vegan grocery store and juice bar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpened in March of 2019, Wadada is located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic West End. Alongside fresh produce and herbs, Wadada provides superfood sea moss smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, organic teas and sea moss gel. More than 90 percent of the store\u0026rsquo;s products and vendors are other local Black-owned businesses. Wadada\u0026rsquo;s mission: to serve and support the local community while being a partner in your health journey.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHaving heard about the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e from various sources, Jeanette contacted Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;regarding a Commercial Property Improvement Grant. \u0026ldquo;Thanks to the grant I received, I was able to enhance my business with new flooring, lighting, mural/artwork and painting,\u0026rdquo; says Jeanette.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant, made possible from a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo and in collaboration with United Way of Greater Atlanta, helps Atlanta small business owners own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets, including property and equipment, and enables physical upgrades to their facilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat started out as foundational support expanded quickly into the Atlanta Open for Business Fund team offering additional guidance, including accounting and financial advice through consulting services with \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;The team went beyond the scope of the project,\u0026quot; says Jeanette, \u0026quot;They were happy to help in any way they could.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen asked if she would advise others to consider a grant opportunity with Atlanta Open for Business Fund, Jeanette enthusiastically replied: GO FOR IT.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, Jeanette is able to deliver an enhanced experience to Wadada\u0026rsquo;s target audience of health conscious consumers, fitness community members, and students. \u0026ldquo;Engaging the Atlanta Open for Business Fund helped my business tremendously,\u0026rdquo; said Jeanette. \u0026ldquo;I walked away with information and resources that I really needed. Everyone was super helpful and professional. You can\u0026rsquo;t take it for granted!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about Wadada at \u003ca href=\"https://www.wadadaatl.com/\"\u003ewww.wadadaatl.com/\u003c/a\u003e. Follow along on Instagram @wadada_atl.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003chr /\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":511,"title":"Kick Back in Castleberry Hill","promo_title":"Kick Back in Castleberry Hill","published_date":"2024-02-21","featured_image":{"id":2564,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"match.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":118516,"resource_updated_at":"2024-02-20T13:12:51.678-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-02-20T13:12:52.339-05:00","updated_at":"2024-02-21T13:29:08.267-05:00","filename_hash":"match_EbrRmny.jpg","width":750,"height":750},"filename":"kick-back-in-castleberry-hill","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5MHQ0A","created_at":"2024-02-21T13:27:18.256-05:00","updated_at":"2024-02-21T13:29:08.249-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;Sometimes you\u0026rsquo;ve just gotta kick back and relax.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Sometimes you\u0026rsquo;ve just gotta kick back and relax.\u0026rdquo; That\u0026rsquo;s the motto and the vibe when you walk into Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.matchloungeatl.com/\"\u003eMatch Bar \u0026amp; Oven\u003c/a\u003e. While his customers are relaxing, owner James Hamelburg is working hard to build a successful restaurant in downtown Atlanta. Located in Castleberry Hill, right down the street from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Match Bar \u0026amp; Oven has been open for nine years. Hamelburg says the business ebbs and flows and he is determined to make it a success. As he explored how to keep the restaurant sustainable, he started building relationships in the city. One of those relationships is with Invest Atlanta and the ATLinBusiness program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I thought, \u0026lsquo;Is this really going to work?\u0026rsquo; I didn\u0026rsquo;t know what to expect. I typically keep expectations low and in this case, it was free.\u0026rdquo; Hamelburg says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut it did work. ATLinBusiness connected Hamelburg with one of its expert consultants to work on two things: a revamped website and a more robust business plan. He says the results far exceeded his expectations, \u0026ldquo;I couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more excited. They don\u0026rsquo;t want anything in return. I will sing the praises of them for the rest of my life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBuiness provides no-cost services to entrepreneurs inside the city of Atlanta. The process is simple: you apply for the program, get partnered with a consultant and then work together to grow your business. Business owners can select what area of expertise they need support. Hamelburg says that things have been tough for his restaurant, and as he has worked with ATLinBusiness, he can see things popping.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I have to work hard to keep things afloat, but these guys have my back. It\u0026#39;s like they know what I need and what I want,\u0026rdquo; he explains. Hamelburg believes that it will take another two or three years before the Castleberry Hill neighborhood will really turn around. But, like the growth for Match Bar \u0026amp; Oven, he has faith it will happen. He also believes that his relationship with Invest Atlanta will continue to support him along the way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are a small business in the city of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":510,"title":"Mini City Poised to Make an Even Bigger Impact ","promo_title":"Mini City Poised to Make an Even Bigger Impact ","published_date":"2024-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2586,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"minicity.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":28445,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:44:17.783-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-04T13:44:18.392-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:45:52.349-05:00","filename_hash":"minicity_g3Dz3P3.jpg","width":433,"height":433},"filename":"mini-city-poised-to-make-an-even-bigger-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"W61S2g","created_at":"2024-01-30T16:13:11.497-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:45:52.298-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed its first social impact loan of the year with \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e, a compassionate tech hub that helps marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups obtain vital documentation.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed its first social impact loan of the year with \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e, a compassionate tech hub that helps marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups obtain vital documentation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eDuring her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, Mini City Founder India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward, including medical benefits, government benefits and pathways to employment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eIndia and her team created Mini City to help unhoused and housing insecure residents become document enabled. They offer application assistance for birth records and government benefits, and provide valuable data insights for cities, clinics, shelters and homeless care providers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eMini City was awarded funding through the LIFT 2.0 initiative, which is a homeless response plan underway in the City of Atlanta, led by Partners for HOME. The funding will allow Mini City to deploy services at key partner sites and make 320 households document enabled. The Leverage Loan from AEMI allows Mini City to access funding upfront, meet a crucial need for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s unhoused population and fulfill its largest project to date.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eCreated by Invest Atlanta, AEMI is a certified community development entity that fosters economic development, job creation and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underinvested communities. It specializes in gap financing for businesses and developers with large-scale projects, as well as small businesses, medium-sized companies and startups seeking low-cost financing or venture capital. Funding comes from private investors in exchange for tax breaks facilitated through the Federal New Markets Tax Credits Program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":508,"title":"Co-Working Collaboration","promo_title":"Co-Working Collaboration","published_date":"2024-01-08","featured_image":{"id":2537,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"a_chiropractic_hub.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":157941,"resource_updated_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:12.546-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:13.281-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-11T12:56:47.957-05:00","filename_hash":"a_chiropractic_hub_OzL7WN9.png","width":1556,"height":2000},"filename":"co-working-collaboration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DntM5A","created_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:29.258-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-11T12:56:47.731-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Co-working spaces are popping up all over Atlanta, primarily in the business and textile industries. Two Atlanta doctors are changing that with \u003ca href=\"https://www.achirohub.com/\"\u003eA Chiropractic Hub\u003c/a\u003e. The Chiropractic Hub\u0026#39;s approach addresses a gap in the chiropractic field, providing a supportive environment for practitioners to thrive while enhancing access to care for the community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCo-working spaces are popping up all over Atlanta, primarily in the business and textile industries. Two Atlanta doctors are changing that with \u003ca href=\"https://www.achirohub.com/\"\u003eA Chiropractic Hub\u003c/a\u003e. The Chiropractic Hub\u0026#39;s approach addresses a gap in the chiropractic field, providing a supportive environment for practitioners to thrive while enhancing access to care for the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This flexible (business model) really allows for doctors to focus on their skill and their practice as opposed to all of the parts of running a business,\u0026rdquo; explains co-owner Dr. Dara Geiger.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis medical office combines the talents and resources of chiropractors allowing them to practice and collaborate while delivering outstanding patient care. Doctors Mesiha Miller and Dara Geiger came up with the business idea as a solution to a growing problem. Miller explains that, after graduating, many chiropractors miss the opportunity for collaboration with others and there are challenges with finding the capital to start up a business. This way, chiropractors can focus on their specialty and build a patient base.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial support from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund,\u003c/a\u003e particularly the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program\u003c/a\u003e (ARLP), played a crucial role in helping the doctors realize their vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This gives them the freedom to focus on their skill and build their practice. Doctors can start on a small scale, on a budget and only do what they can afford until they pick up pace,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Meshia Miller further explains. \u0026ldquo;Once they have enough capital, they can stay with us or move on to open their own practice.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eARLP\u003c/a\u003e funding enabled Miller and Geiger to set up their space \u0026ndash; from basic infrastructure like drywall and electrical work to purchasing necessary office furniture and fixtures. Without this financial assistance, the process of opening their practice would have been considerably delayed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://stories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e. The funds allowed them to move forward faster, thus more quickly allowing them to take care of patients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chiropractic Hub is holding its grand opening this month (January) and is ready to serve the needs of the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":506,"title":"Collaboration: One Key to Growing your Business","promo_title":"Collaboration: One Key to Growing your Business","published_date":"2023-11-30","featured_image":{"id":2526,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"tbi.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":234411,"resource_updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:13.022-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:13.597-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:30.677-05:00","filename_hash":"tbi_xNaOzyL.jpg","width":1240,"height":852},"filename":"collaboration-one-key-to-growing-your-business","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"C-uO0Q","created_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:29.767-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:29.767-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Khadijah Baynes was ready to expand her business, The Beauty Industry, to a second location, but needed a little help getting her finances in order.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKhadijah Baynes was ready to expand her business, The Beauty Industry, to a second location, but needed a little help getting her finances in order.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;ATLinBusiness gave me a professional set of eyes to make sure I had everything I needed.\u0026rdquo; she explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBaynes was then connected to Terri King, a consultant in the program. King, also a Black female entrepreneur, says that the development of a compelling business portfolio is a key milestone for any entrepreneur.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It not only showcases past achievements but also communicates vision and potential effectively. Khadijah\u0026#39;s well-crafted portfolio not only enhanced her credibility but also attracted the right partners, investors and collaborators,\u0026rdquo; King says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKing is in commercial real estate leasing and sales, and her expertise paired up well with what Baynes needed. She was able to help Baynes beyond just her financial applications. She also helped her identify areas for enhancement and implement tailored strategies. King says that Baynes not only improved her business\u0026#39;s efficiency but also set the stage for sustainable growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBaynes says she is very grateful for the ATLinBusiness program and the many services it offers entrepreneurs. She encourages other small business owners to take advantage of it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t waste any time. They (ATLinBusiness) are always willing to help. This has gotten me where I need to be and it doesn\u0026rsquo;t cost anything,\u0026rdquo; she says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEntrepreneurship is about continuous innovation and growth, and having clarity about the next steps is essential. Working with expert consultants through ATLinBusiness is one way small business owners can build and grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more, visit\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e, and begin the process of transforming your business with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":503,"title":"Building on a Dream","promo_title":"Building on a Dream","published_date":"2023-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2524,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"image0.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3691619,"resource_updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:21:27.163-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-11-28T13:21:28.031-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.769-05:00","filename_hash":"image0_53oVyZP.jpeg","width":5040,"height":3360},"filename":"building-on-a-dream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"esmrZA","created_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.658-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.658-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Shauniece Wallace launched The Elleven LLC in 2018 as a creative co-working space for barbers, nail technicians, and tattoo and makeup artists. As her business grew, so did her dreams.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShauniece Wallace launched The Elleven LLC in 2018 as a creative co-working space for barbers, nail technicians, and tattoo and makeup artists. As her business grew, so did her dreams. Focused on creating a bigger footprint, Wallace saw a blank canvas opportunity in 2019 at a new location on Bishop Street. After securing the property, she had to navigate the challenges of 2020. Wallace took inspiration from female entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; including the first Black female millionaire Annie Malone \u0026ndash; who ignited a passion to grow her business and impact on local entrepreneurs but needed help making it a reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter hearing about Invest Atlanta as a resource from friends and her realtor, Wallace attended a few Invest Atlanta seminars on loan assistance to better understand available loan programs. Thanks to the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program\u003c/a\u003e, a low-interest loan through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, she is expanding \u0026ndash; including adding an event space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://welcome.wf.com/impact/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This loan program has really saved my life,\u0026rdquo; Wallace explains. \u0026ldquo;I went through some personal hardships and it placed a bad cloud over my mental health. It was hard for me to balance being a mom and a business owner to many different entities here that are connected to other families; keeping everything afloat was very difficult.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe funds will also assist with fixing the parking lot, securing signage and ensuring suites are in excellent operational shape for the 12 entrepreneurs who share their talents in her space. Wallace says the client entrepreneurs are like family, making the need for additional funding a priority.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith funds now in place, she is focused on taking her business to the next level. Wallace is planning for growth with the addition of new fixtures, additional bars and more flexible floor plan layouts. From weddings to mitzvahs, many milestone events are being celebrated at the Elleven LLC. And all the suites are full.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe future looks bright for Wallace and the Elleven LLC. She gives much credit to the support received from the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund for her evolving success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s taking the time to get to know me as an individual and not just see me as a name on paperwork. Because sometimes people go through hardships\u0026hellip; but when you actually get a chance to meet them, feel their energy and be around the aura of their business, you can get a better feel for who they are. Thank you Open For Business, United Way and Wells Fargo for supporting me and my city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Elleven LLC follow Wallace on Instagram \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ellevenbeautyandbarberlofts/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==\"\u003e@ellevenbeautyandbarberlofts\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":501,"title":"New Loan Program Offers Boost to Startups","promo_title":"New Loan Program Offers Boost to Startups","published_date":"2023-10-25","featured_image":{"id":2477,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"mantle.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":969535,"resource_updated_at":"2023-08-28T15:04:46.015-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-08-28T15:04:46.593-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:00:24.141-04:00","filename_hash":"mantle_eWDqNR6.jpg","width":3917,"height":1500},"filename":"new-loan-program-offers-boost-to-startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ZasnJA","created_at":"2023-10-25T11:33:25.325-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:00:24.066-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Through the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGL), Atlanta technology startups are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to $150,000 to grow and scale their business and acquire new assets or update existing ones.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to more than 30 corporate innovation centers, making it the highest concentrated city of startups and innovators in the Southeast. These entrepreneurs now have access to a new $1 million loan program designed to support local technology startups as they work to get their businesses up and running.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGL), Atlanta technology startups are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to $150,000 to grow and scale their business and acquire new assets or update existing ones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta startups raised nearly $1.7 billion in funding last year alone, which was the second-highest amount of funding allocated to the city in recent years. \u0026ldquo;That speaks to the city\u0026rsquo;s ever-growing status as a technology epicenter,\u0026rdquo; says Dickens. \u0026ldquo;This new program and funding will further substantiate the strength of our tech ecosystem.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ASGL Program is the fourth initiative, and first technology-focused program, that United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have rolled out as a part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e (OFB). The fund is made possible by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help the owners of Atlanta small businesses own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets \u0026ndash; including property and equipment \u0026ndash; scale and fund physical upgrades to their facilities. Invest Atlanta partnered with United Way to create OFB.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program nurtures innovation and empowers local entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; says Milton J. Little, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;By providing vital financial support to technology startups, we\u0026#39;re fostering a thriving ecosystem that will drive progress and opportunity in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is distributing the Atlanta Open for Business Fund as a mix of grants and loans with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses. In addition to the ASGL, the Atlanta Open for Business Fund supports three other programs, including:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program: Provides 3% interest loans to small businesses interested in acquiring tangible business assets.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant: Provides grants for small businesses of up to $50,000 for exterior and interior enhancements to their business.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program: Provides small businesses with direct loans of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, says support for technology startups is vital to the growth of the Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy because they not only create jobs, but also increase the city\u0026rsquo;s competitiveness and often address an unmet need. \u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program will extend our reach and impact because we will be in a position to help eliminate funding as a barrier to their ability to grow,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eASGL loans can be used for technology, inventory, the purchase, or renovation of commercial space within the city of Atlanta, machinery and equipment, furniture, and fixtures, as well as signage, which can go a long way to helping startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Being able to acquire or upgrade these types of assets can be transformative for a small business, particularly those in the early stages,\u0026rdquo; says Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo. \u0026ldquo;With this program, we are being intentional about getting capital out to entrepreneurs in a way that drives growth for each small business but also the Atlanta economy.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about and apply for the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program, small business owners should visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/startupgrowth\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/startupgrowth\u003c/a\u003e. Small businesses interested in the program may request assistance with their application through the Atlanta Open for Business Technical Assistance program by visiting \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":500,"title":"The Kindred Healing Center: Nurturing Holistic Wellness in the Heart of Atlanta","promo_title":"The Kindred Healing Center: Nurturing Holistic Wellness in the Heart of Atlanta","published_date":"2023-10-23","featured_image":{"id":2516,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4b1e7d7d-bf0a-40ad-92c7-a5c8c49f6004.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":141755,"resource_updated_at":"2023-10-23T14:34:06.391-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-10-23T14:34:07.096-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:02:26.734-04:00","filename_hash":"4b1e7d7d-bf0a-40ad-92c7-a5c8c49f6004_y6kLyon.jpeg","width":680,"height":510},"filename":"the-kindred-healing-center-nurturing-holistic-wellness-in-the-heart-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8XQI1A","created_at":"2023-10-23T14:35:33.078-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:02:26.706-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Known as a haven of holistic wellness, the Kindred Healing Center found itself in the midst of this unprecedented storm \u0026hellip; but also found a silver lining in the form of opportunity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Kindred Healing Center opened its doors to offer an ecosystem of services that address the mind, body\u0026nbsp;and spirit in a harmonious space. But the global pandemic of 2020 reshaped the landscape of business, forcing many to adapt quickly and resolutely. The Kindred Healing Center is one of those businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as a haven of holistic wellness, the Kindred Healing Center found itself in the midst of this unprecedented storm \u0026hellip; but also found a silver lining in the form of opportunity. The pandemic not only heightened the center\u0026rsquo;s commitment to the community, it also underscored the essential role holistic wellness can play in a time of crisis. The center\u0026rsquo;s services addressed the critical needs of those impacted during COVID and became a lifeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Being able to maintain and stay open [during COVID] was rough,\u0026rdquo; owner Yolanda Neals-Kindred explains.\u0026rdquo; I recognized we needed a way to streamline and catch up and to get financial support. And that is why we reached out to Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYolanda and her co-owner and wife Dr. Rhonda Neals-Kindred found the help they needed through the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e (OFB).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSupported by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, OFB is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. Moreover, OFB programs help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic to recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Kindred Healing Center\u0026rsquo;s case, their OFB experience was two-fold. Not only did the business receive the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan\u003c/a\u003e, which it used for renovations and equipment; in the beginning of the loan application process, Yolanda was partnered with expert consultants through the Technical Assistance Program to guide her through every facet of applying for financial support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYolanda\u0026rsquo;s consultant both assisted in the loan process and also played a crucial role in ensuring that Kindred Healing Center had everything it needed to succeed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without this help I really don\u0026rsquo;t think I\u0026#39;d be in the position that I am right now. Monique (Mills) helped me understand my own business even better. For that I am truly grateful,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;I wasn\u0026rsquo;t focused on the world knowing who we were the first couple years. But now, I am confident about opening the doors to the world to show what we offer. Help from the Technical Assistance program has given me new confidence in the way we present ourselves to the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNext, the Kindred Healing Center is embarking on expansion. The foundation built during the pandemic\u0026#39;s early days has allowed the center to flourish and evolve, and its owners are now ready to increase its footprint, target specific wellness populations and share their deep understanding of the community\u0026#39;s changing needs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about the Kindred Healing Center by visiting their \u003ca href=\"https://www.kindredhealingcenter.com/\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":499,"title":"Empowering Dreams: How ATLinBusiness is Supporting Entrepreneurs in the City","promo_title":"Empowering Dreams: How ATLinBusiness is Supporting Entrepreneurs in the City","published_date":"2023-10-19","featured_image":{"id":2515,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img-20230704-wa0000-ronnie-s.-rose.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":189942,"resource_updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:08:29.291-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-10-19T15:08:30.144-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.919-04:00","filename_hash":"img-20230704-wa0000-ronnie-s.-rose_aWZ95wX.jpg","width":834,"height":1024},"filename":"empowering-dreams-how-atlinbusiness-is-supporting-entrepreneurs-in-the-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2daAuw","created_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.834-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.834-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n You have an idea and the passion and willingness to work hard - but to truly build a thriving business you need more. Ronnie S. Rose, owner of Self Healers Yoga in Atlanta, knows that too well.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYou have an idea and the passion and willingness to work hard - but to truly build a thriving business you need more. Ronnie S. Rose, owner of Self Healers Yoga in Atlanta, knows that too well. The story of Self Healers Yoga is a testament to the power of passion and the invaluable support that initiatives like ATLinBusiness can provide to budding entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Rose, the journey toward creating Self Healers Yoga was deeply personal. In the face of anxieties and stresses brought on by the challenges of 2020, she found comfort in the practice of yoga. Recognizing the transformative power it held, she dreamed of a space where others could tap into their inner selves and create peace.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;People often turn to yoga at their breaking point. I teach how to use the resources you have inside you to help figure out how to manage. Yoga can really help with that,\u0026quot; Rose passionately explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the path from a passionate idea to a thriving business has its challenges. Rose, like many entrepreneurs, recognized the need for structure, guidance, and expertise. This is where ATLinBusiness, an initiative by Invest Atlanta, stepped in to bridge the gap.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBusiness offers invaluable, no-cost services to small businesses in the City of Atlanta. One of the program\u0026rsquo;s standout features is its ability to pair a business with a consultant who possesses the precise skills to support that business\u0026rsquo; needs. For Rose, this meant finding a consultant who could provide the necessary support in website development, marketing, and business planning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;I was matched with a consultant that had the skills I didn\u0026rsquo;t. I have the passion for my business but needed structure and a way for people to find out about me. Before I worked with ATLinBusiness, I was doing everything on a whim. I didn\u0026rsquo;t even have pricing,\u0026quot; Rose shares.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRose says the help she received from ATLinBusiness really got her started and this is just the beginning. For now, Self Healers Yoga provides personal one on one or small group sessions, but her hope is to open a brick and mortar Self Healers Retreat and Wellness Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBusiness is playing a pivotal role in nurturing these aspirations, one small business at a time. If you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about \u003ca href=\"https://selfhealersyoga.com/\"\u003eSelf Healers Yoga here.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":498,"title":"BBQ Done Right","promo_title":"BBQ Done Right","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2513,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"das_bbq3_-002-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":4295225,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:28.418-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:28.768-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.550-04:00","filename_hash":"das_bbq3_-002-_53eD44P.png","width":2082,"height":1666},"filename":"bbq-done-right","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FxQ9vw","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.528-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.528-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Determined to start a new chapter in life, the founder and pit master of \u003ca href=\"https://www.dasbbq.com/\"\u003eDAS BBQ\u003c/a\u003e leaned into his whole-hog-smoking-pig-picking roots to start a local joint on Collier Road with a vision to celebrate Georgia barbecue and contribute to his home state\u0026rsquo;s rich and creative culinary history.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeing fired from his dream job in the brand strategy and design business was just the impetus Stephen Franklin needed to find his true calling.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDetermined to start a new chapter in life, the founder and pit master of \u003ca href=\"https://www.dasbbq.com/\"\u003eDAS BBQ\u003c/a\u003e leaned into his whole-hog-smoking-pig-picking roots to start a local joint on Collier Road with a vision to celebrate Georgia barbecue and contribute to his home state\u0026rsquo;s rich and creative culinary history. Stephen opened a second location on Memorial Drive, which can only be described as BBQ with a vibe \u0026ndash; complete with games, live music and, of course, mouth-watering food.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Music and food are a human love language,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;Adding fire to the mix evokes something carnal in us. Something safe, maybe even sacred. We like to invoke that magic in people\u0026rsquo;s psyches every time we open our doors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBackyard barbecues were the backdrop of Stephen\u0026rsquo;s childhood. His father, who is a dually certified and licensed barbecue judge with the Memphis In May and Kansas City BBQ Society organizations, taught Stephen the art of smoking turkey breasts in vertical barrel-smokers. Those custom smokers, which Stephen builds at the family farm, are what put DAS BBQ on a level all its own.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It requires a different level of dedication to wood procurement, fire management and human learning,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;We want to preserve the part of our barbecue lineage that requires grit and grind.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStephen and his fellow pit master Jeremy Chambers both have deep Texas family roots, and the craft of smoking brisket comes directly from their Lone Star lineage. And, while the menu has something for everyone, DAS BBQ is known for that beef brisket and a side of cream corn \u0026ndash; a creamy, cheesy, jalape\u0026ntilde;o-infused corn that eats like a chowder and is often described as \u0026ldquo;dream corn.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring COVID-19, DAS BBQ was able to survive \u0026ndash; and thrive \u0026ndash; with help from a Resurgence Grant from Invest Atlanta, so much that Stephen was able to open his other location in Grant Park. Three years later, Invest Atlanta proactively reached out to Stephen about a potential employer credit. This led to conversations about how Invest Atlanta could help him secure low-interest loans through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-down-payment-assistance\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e for he and Jeremy\u0026rsquo;s latest concept, DAS CANTINA, featuring their infamous smoked meats with a Tex-Mex twist.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s staff has been proactive, super responsive, and most of all, compassionate,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;They offer a hand-up, not a hand-out. Having that kind of support makes us proud to be Atlantans. Beyond all of that, they\u0026rsquo;ve let us know we\u0026rsquo;re not alone. They\u0026rsquo;re our partner. And as our partner, they want us to succeed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Stephen, this partnership not only helps him scale his business, it also lays the groundwork for him to give back to the community in an authentic way. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re not talking about cash for causes. We want to silently help feed those who need a warm meal and then not talk about it,\u0026rdquo; he explains. \u0026ldquo;We just want to do it because it\u0026rsquo;s the right thing to do and sincerely hope those actions will be what we\u0026rsquo;re most known for in 100 years from now.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":491,"title":"A Mission to Help Others","promo_title":"A Mission to Help Others","published_date":"2023-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2506,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ltlf_lateshia_woodley_20_jd-bs.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":330492,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:55:12.156-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-26T09:55:13.768-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.929-04:00","filename_hash":"ltlf_lateshia_woodley_20_jd-bs_xNX7b8D.jpg","width":1280,"height":853},"filename":"a-mission-to-help-others","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qFDQ_A","created_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.819-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.819-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Healing a community requires healing its citizens, and nowhere can healing do more immediate good than with children.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.drlateshiawoodley.com/\"\u003eDr. Lateshia Woodley\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;has dedicated her life to helping children within underserved school systems.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealing a community requires healing its citizens, and nowhere can healing do more immediate good than with children. \u003ca href=\"https://www.drlateshiawoodley.com/\"\u003eDr. Lateshia Woodley\u003c/a\u003e has dedicated her life to helping children within underserved school systems. Her focus is on strengthening the mental and emotional health of students, which she believes serves as the foundation of community-wide healing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I really and truly decided to dedicate my life to making a difference in the lives of kids who had some of the same struggles I did growing up,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Woodley. \u0026ldquo;So, for the past two decades, that\u0026#39;s the work that I\u0026#39;ve been doing: from being a teacher, to a counselor, to a principal, all the way to assistant superintendent.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Woodley\u0026rsquo;s background drove her to build her business: \u003ca href=\"https://www.dynamicachievementsolutions.com/\"\u003eDynamic Achievement Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, LLC (DAS). DAS is a counseling and educational consulting firm that works to transform communities that have historically been promised investment but might not have seen that investment materialize meaningfully. She works with educational institutions to combat mental health stigmas and improve the overall well-being of the communities in which they exist.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I decided after working as an assistant superintendent and seeing some of the concerns in the communities that I was a part of, that I wanted to have a greater impact and a greater reach,\u0026rdquo; she explains.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Woodley had a vision and clients. All she needed were the funds to expand her physical space and grow her mission in East Point. She learned about the Atlanta Open for Business Fund from Invest Atlanta and applied for a low-interest loan through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://welcome.wf.com/impact/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We know that it\u0026#39;s difficult, more difficult for entrepreneurs of color to get funding in this financial space,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Woodley says. \u0026ldquo;And so, Invest Atlanta provides this avenue to make sure that we have an equal playing field and we\u0026#39;re able to be competitors in this global marketplace.\u0026rdquo;. She says being approved for this loan means she has the funds she needs to keep her business moving forward.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If [the Open for Business Fund] didn\u0026#39;t come through for our funds, I don\u0026#39;t see how we would be able to continue the work that we\u0026#39;ve been doing. This has had such a great impact in the community,\u0026rdquo; she says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe funding will allow her to create a center of operations, event space, a community garden and an individual counseling office. You can learn more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.dynamicachievementsolutions.com/\"\u003eDynamic Achievement Solutions\u003c/a\u003e and the services provided by visiting their website.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":492,"title":"Resilience and Innovation: How Buenos Dias Cafe Thrived with ATLinBusiness Support","promo_title":"Resilience and Innovation: How Buenos Dias Cafe Thrived with ATLinBusiness Support","published_date":"2023-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2507,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"k_j_headshot.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":10532711,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:16.006-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:17.512-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.735-04:00","filename_hash":"k_j_headshot_Oz8BazP.jpg","width":4724,"height":3151},"filename":"resilience-and-innovation-how-buenos-dias-cafe-thrived-with-atlinbusiness-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vFza_A","created_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.647-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.647-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJeannette Flores-Katz and her husband, Ken Katz, had a determined attitude of \u0026ldquo;failure is not an option\u0026rdquo; when they came up with the idea for Buenos Dias Cafe and Pupuseria in 2011. However, they recognized the need for financial support to kickstart their idea, which led them to seek help from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFast forward to 2020, the restaurant faced challenges, particularly due to the restrictions on indoor dining brought about by the pandemic. To ensure the survival of Buenos Dias Cafe, the couple turned to Invest Atlanta once again, this time through the ATLinBusiness program. They were specifically looking for marketing help.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We needed to figure out a new way to do business due to the changing landscape,\u0026rdquo; Katz explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRecognizing a need for a stronger online presence to drive traffic to their website and build online delivery services, the restaurant owners were connected with a consultant through ATLinBuinsess. This consultant played a big role in educating them about website development, keywords and search engine optimization (SEO). Their goal was to make sure the restaurant would appear in search results when people looked for Latin food in Atlanta. The collaboration between an ATLinBusiness consultant and Flores-Katz spanned approximately 10 weeks, ultimately enabling them to transition to running their business 100% online.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness offers no-cost services to small businesses in Atlanta. A key feature of the program is pairing the business with a consultant who has expertise in the area the business requires assistance. Katz says the help was so valuable and encourages other Atlanta businesses entrepreneurs to use these services. He goes on to say that, while it is no-cost to the business, you have to be able to put in the work and actively participate.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness helped the Katz\u0026rsquo; business survive the pandemic and today, they have been able to rebrand as La Bodega. The restaurant has moved to The MET ATL and has expanded to offer inside seating and a market. As the couple looks back over the past three years they say it was worth the work because it meant staying afloat during a tough economic time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just a case of submitting your issue and letting someone else solve it. It is a collaborative effort. Really a partnership with the consultant,\u0026rdquo; Katz says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, you can \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":489,"title":"Barking to Support Change","promo_title":"Barking to Support Change","published_date":"2023-08-21","featured_image":{"id":2473,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"city_dogz.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1015468,"resource_updated_at":"2023-08-21T13:15:51.074-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-08-21T13:15:51.996-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:26:48.858-04:00","filename_hash":"city_dogz_j3W4kl6.jpg","width":1986,"height":1986},"filename":"barking-to-support-change","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kLuGqw","created_at":"2023-08-21T13:18:53.410-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:26:48.817-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t have done this without the help of Invest Atlanta (and the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eOpen for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e),\u0026rdquo; Brown explains.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImpacting change, representing the community and enhancing the services in Atlanta \u0026hellip; all things Azhia Brown is committed to. This young, Black entrepreneur sees growth in the west side of the city and, rather than being a spectator to change, she is jumping right in. Brown owns City Dogz ATL, a unique boutique dog grooming and boarding facility. She opened her business prior to 2020 and then, like many business owners, ran into some challenges. That is when she learned about the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t have done this without the help of Invest Atlanta (and the Open for Business Fund),\u0026rdquo; Brown explains. \u0026ldquo;The grant is allowing us to build out our physical space and really represent what is happening in west Atlanta. This area is about growth, community and support, and I hope this space personifies that.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG) enabled her to make big changes in her corner of the city. The grant is possible because of a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta small business owners own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets, including property and equipment, and to enable physical upgrades to their facilities. Invest Atlanta, in collaboration with United Way of Greater Atlanta, will distribute the funding as a mix of grants and loans in the city, with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe CPIG money will do two big things for her business. The first is to fence in the area and create a safe space for dogs and their owners as well as keep people passing by safe. The second is the addition of turf and large containers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBrown says the turf will be used in the play yard for pups while the containers serve as a barrier and will later be used for a planned expansion of services. Brown\u0026rsquo;s vision for City Dogz is to be more than boarding and grooming. She intends to create a dog community for the pet owners around the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to offer residents in the area the use of our yard after hours so people walking their animals have a safe place for them to run,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;We also want to expand to a self-service after hours dog wash for those who live nearby.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBrown, who has mapped out her growth strategy for City Dogz ATL, says without Atlanta Open for Business it would take a lot longer for her dreams to be realized.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth and to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":483,"title":"At the Intersection of Fashion and Purpose","promo_title":"At the Intersection of Fashion and Purpose","published_date":"2023-07-24","featured_image":{"id":2440,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"microsoftteams-image_-15-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2465616,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:32:33.441-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-24T13:32:34.301-04:00","updated_at":"2023-08-02T11:16:18.606-04:00","filename_hash":"microsoftteams-image_-15-_aWWxKVe.png","width":6000,"height":4000},"filename":"at-the-intersection-of-fashion-and-purpose","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1HiLjA","created_at":"2023-07-24T13:33:32.247-04:00","updated_at":"2023-08-02T11:16:18.573-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026quot;I want to address inequities in the world of couture fashion and put the Atlanta fashion scene on the map,\u0026quot; says Rose Gordon, founder of Pink Maison. This fashion mogul with a titanic list of accomplishments is doing exactly that with help from the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;I want to address inequities in the world of couture fashion and put the Atlanta fashion scene on the map,\u0026quot; says Rose Gordon, founder of Pink Maison. This fashion mogul with a titanic list of accomplishments is doing exactly that with help from the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In the world of high fashion, young Black designers are often overlooked,\u0026rdquo; Gordon explains, \u0026ldquo;so, I want my business to be more than a boutique.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePink Maison, located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, is one part retail space and one part designer incubator. Gordon sells pieces from Black designers from around the world. She has cultivated relationships with promising designers from Atlanta, New York, the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond, and her company provides robust support to help these young hopefuls participate in an industry that doesn\u0026rsquo;t always offer them a fair shot. \u0026ldquo;In addition to our showroom, Pink Maison offers business development, digital marketing, press and [a] sales agency to independent designers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith support from Wells Fargo, Invest Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta established the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology. The financial institution provided a \u003ca aria-label=\"Link generous donation of $20 million\" href=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/Wells-Fargo-Donates-20-Million-to-Strengthen-Small-Businesses-in-Atlanta-/default.aspx\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/english/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/wells-fargo-donates-20-million-to-strengthen-small-businesses-in-atlanta-/default.aspx\"\u003egenerous donation of $20 million\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGordon launched her business at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although unsure about when safety regulations would ease, Gordon soldiered on with support from her husband and an understanding landlord. She came out of the depths of the pandemic ready to grow but in need of a financial lifeline. So, when she heard of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, she applied for a low-interest loan through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe money will allow her to expand marketing, improve inventory, purchase equipment to refine her flexible space, and hire a new employee. \u0026ldquo;The funding through the Atlanta Open for Business Fund came at the perfect time for me and my business,\u0026rdquo; Gordon says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith her business recovering and primed to grow, Gordon intends to expand her impact even further. She has founded a modest scholarship to help underprivileged students attend fashion school, and she intends to increase the award amount over the coming years to further help designers build the skills and networks necessary to thrive in the competitive fashion industry. \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eClick to learn\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;more about the Atlanta Open for Business program, including application materials.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":482,"title":"A Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur","promo_title":"A Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur","published_date":"2023-06-28","featured_image":{"id":2418,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dsc_4952.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":12828935,"resource_updated_at":"2023-06-28T14:31:34.342-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-06-28T14:31:36.082-04:00","updated_at":"2023-06-29T12:12:28.333-04:00","filename_hash":"dsc_4952_D332BjZ.jpg","width":6016,"height":4016},"filename":"a-purpose-driven-entrepreneur","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ofm8MQ","created_at":"2023-06-28T10:02:15.474-04:00","updated_at":"2023-06-29T12:12:28.181-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Rahfeal Gordon is a busy man.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;All my business ventures are in alignment with my personal purpose to make a positive impact in the world,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026#39;s so much that we can do through business, entrepreneurship, and as human beings. I want to serve as an advisor and mentor to others that I didn\u0026#39;t have coming up.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRahfeal Gordon is a busy man.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe leadership advisor, entrepreneur, and author, also known as RahGor, has published 18 books, is the principal owner of the branding and publishing company \u003ca href=\"http://www.madpar.com/\"\u003eMadison + Park\u003c/a\u003e and is the global ambassador of the International Hub in Norway, which supports entrepreneurs from around the world. He also is a keynote speaker, advisor to world leaders and co-founder of Voices for World Peace Organization.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRahGor even served as a mentor and advisor for The Queen\u0026rsquo;s Young Leadership Program in the United Kingdom. Each undertaking is purpose-driven and met with the drive and authenticity that defines RahGor\u0026rsquo;s personal and professional brand.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;All my business ventures are in alignment with my personal purpose to make a positive impact in the world,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026#39;s so much that we can do through business, entrepreneurship, and as human beings. I want to serve as an advisor and mentor to others that I didn\u0026#39;t have coming up.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nEven with all his success, RahGor found that he, himself, was in need of additional support and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, he began to build out an idea to showcase up-and-coming Madison + Park authors and document their journey to inspire others who are writing their own books. RahGor applied for, and received, a Creative Industries Grant to support the online series \u0026ldquo;How I Wrote It.\u0026rdquo; The endeavor, in fact, has been so well-received that RahGor has turned the $5,000 grant into what is forecasted to reach $800,000 by the end of the year.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The financial support helped to lift this project off the ground during a very uncertain time,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta proactively reached out to help me complete the grant application and offered resources, which was amazing. They have a finger on the pulse of entrepreneurs; they understand our needs and, most importantly, that time is our most precious commodity.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRahGor has also leveraged the business resources available on the \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e platform, which taps into a network of local business experts to provide no-cost, one-on-one business consulting and coaching. RahGor says having these kinds of resources not only helps emerging businesses launch and stay afloat, they\u0026nbsp;also inspire more established businesses to keep creating and plan for what\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;next.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Even successful entrepreneurs are still growing, still have hardships and still need support from other organizations,\u0026rdquo; he explains. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is a key pillar in the Atlanta community and is so effective in providing the resources and mentorship that entrepreneurs truly need. My goal is to go higher and bigger, to have enough resources and funding to give back to Invest Atlanta and ATLinBusiness the same way they\u0026#39;ve\u0026nbsp;supported me.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":479,"title":"We All Scream for Ice Cream","promo_title":"We All Scream for Ice Cream","published_date":"2023-04-30","featured_image":{"id":2380,"parent_id":147,"resource_file_name":"jason_davis.pdf.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":26765,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:26.069-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:26.755-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:37:13.110-04:00","filename_hash":"jason_davis.pdf_lPpjRze.jpg","width":480,"height":555},"filename":"we-all-scream-for-ice-cream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KPoogw","created_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:52.340-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:55:35.310-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jason Davis is the consummate entrepreneur. He works as a real estate investor and physical therapist, and with help from Invest Atlanta, he\u0026rsquo;s now pursuing a new business venture in ice cream.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJason Davis is the consummate entrepreneur. He works as a real estate investor and physical therapist, and with help from Invest Atlanta, he\u0026rsquo;s now pursuing a new business venture in ice cream.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I always knew I wanted to open an ice cream shop,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026rsquo;s just something about ice cream that makes you feel good.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince last July, Jason has been diligently working towards that goal. And, just in time for the Atlanta summer heat, he\u0026rsquo;ll be opening the doors to Aiskrimu Ice Cream Bar in the commercial district of historic Cascade Heights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAiskrimu, which is pronounced \u003cem\u003e\u0026#39;īs krēm \u0026#39;\u0026uuml;, \u003c/em\u003emeans \u0026ldquo;ice cream\u0026rdquo; in Swahili. The boutique shop will include vegan and other healthier soft serve ice cream options featuring traditional and seasonal flavors, specialty items \u0026ndash; like ginger beer floats and caramelized plantain sundaes \u0026ndash; along with black waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches and even Pup Cups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDespite several new restaurants and food establishments, Cascade Heights is considered a food desert, and Aiskrimu will serve as the only ice cream shop in the surrounding community. \u0026ldquo;I want Aiskrimu to be a place where people come together,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;Where everyone knows each other and become regulars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been key to helping Jason get his business off the ground. As a recipient of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eAtlanta Commercial Property Improvement Grant\u003c/a\u003e, Jason received $38,000 to help build out the space and bring it up to code.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a Black small business owner, this support goes a long way,\u0026rdquo; says Jason, who points to a McKinsey \u0026amp; Company study on the high rate of small business failure, especially among Black owners. According to the report, 8 in 10 Black business owners fail within the first 18 months, primarily due to lack of access to capital. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has taken a huge financial burden off my shoulders,\u0026rdquo; continues Jason. \u0026ldquo;This grant made it easier to open my business. It\u0026rsquo;s a big deal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJason says that as soon as the storefront sign was installed, locals began voicing their excitement. Many have even come to him seeking business advice. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a beautiful thing connecting with others who are trying to open a business of their own,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;It requires a lot of sweat equity to make it happen, but it\u0026rsquo;s fulfilling. It\u0026rsquo;s cool to share my experience with them.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs for his favorite ice cream flavor, Jason says he\u0026rsquo;s boring. \u0026ldquo;I love vanilla. It makes me pretty happy.\u0026rdquo; He will no doubt be making a lot of customers happy when Aiskrimu opens its doors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Commercial Property Improvement Grant is part of the Atlanta Open for Business program made possible through a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo in partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":480,"title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","promo_title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","published_date":"2023-04-30","featured_image":{"id":2382,"parent_id":147,"resource_file_name":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":271184,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:48.140-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:49.154-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:38:01.841-04:00","filename_hash":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace_NZnWx47.png","width":1200,"height":600},"filename":"atlinbusiness-marketplace","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3L3ngQ","created_at":"2023-05-04T14:36:35.660-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-08T09:58:03.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Did you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDid you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/marketplace/\"\u003eATLinBusiness Marketplace\u003c/a\u003e offers smaller, diverse suppliers a first destination for greater access to a wide range of buyers to accelerate growth and generate new revenue streams. The platform showcases participating businesses\u0026rsquo; capabilities, diversity classification, certifications and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mayor Andre Dickens, ATLinBusiness Marketplace creates a more equitable business-to-business environment by connecting buyers and sellers in metro Atlanta, including minority-owned, women-owned and legacy businesses. \u0026ldquo;With this program, we aim to provide resources to support our local economy, create more good-paying jobs and ensure Atlanta is a city of opportunity for all,\u0026rdquo; explains Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe launch of the ATLinBusiness Marketplace also reflects buyer behavior, which has become increasingly digital. In fact, LinkedIn reports that nearly 40% of sellers say they have closed deals over $500,000 without ever meeting the buyer face-to-face.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":476,"title":"Promoting Food Diversity","promo_title":"Promoting Food Diversity","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2361,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":66834,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:33.713-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:34.424-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.365-04:00","filename_hash":"2_B3vK7nP.jpg","width":480,"height":480},"filename":"promoting-food-diversity","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ILtojg","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.304-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.304-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jeannette and Ken Katz have created an ecosystem of support for local farmers, bakers, chefs and food entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; an endeavor that began with their first loan from Invest Atlanta more than a decade ago.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken Katz have created an ecosystem of support for local farmers, bakers, chefs and food entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; an endeavor that began with their first loan from Invest Atlanta more than a decade ago.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the flavors of San Francisco\u0026#39;s melting pot, the accessibility of New York City\u0026#39;s bodegas, the familiarity of small-town Italian shopkeepers and the island flavors found in Miami, the couple opened Buenos Dias Caf\u0026eacute; in downtown Atlanta in 2012 with help from a $50,000 low-interest loan from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since that first loan, Invest Atlanta has continued to promote opportunities to help us be successful,\u0026rdquo; says Ken. \u0026ldquo;They recognize the tenacity of small business owners and entrepreneurs and understand their value in local communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken eventually closed Buenos Dias Caf\u0026eacute; to open \u003ca href=\"https://www.labodegaatl.com/\"\u003eLa Bodega\u003c/a\u003e, a neighborhood grocery store in the historic MET building, which sells healthy, locally sourced groceries and provisions. Unique not only because of its location in a food desert, La Bodega is also known for its take-out window, featuring fresh Latin American-inspired cuisine and a rotating collective of up-and-coming chefs dishing out their specialties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The pop-up gives food entrepreneurs space to explore the idea of opening their own restaurant,\u0026rdquo; says Jeannette. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s so important for big cities to offer food diversity and support local chefs. Food can define a city, and I see Atlanta nearing San Francisco- and Miami-level diversity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken continue to grow their business. Not only do they employ more than 16 workers, they are also looking to scale their COVID side gig of making fresh, handmade Pupusas \u0026ndash; the national dish of El Salvador.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fearless.fund/\"\u003eFearless Fund\u003c/a\u003e grant recipient and member of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u003c/a\u003e (WEI) Cohort #4, Jeannette says she\u0026rsquo;s been able to hone her business skills and draw strength from her network of women supporting women. \u0026ldquo;My experience with WEI made me believe that we can continue to grow and expand our possibilities,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;I also learned that it\u0026#39;s ok to ask for help because it will make you, and your business, stronger.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We wouldn\u0026rsquo;t exist without Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; agrees Ken. \u0026ldquo;They gave us a chance when others wouldn\u0026rsquo;t. We are proud Invest Atlanta alumni and one of their biggest proponents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":473,"title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund: One Year Later","promo_title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund: One Year Later","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2358,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"ofb_logo.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":38642,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:06.670-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:06.730-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T14:41:46.855-04:00","filename_hash":"ofb_logo_6XOPerl.png","width":1439,"height":1201},"filename":"atlanta-open-for-business-fund-one-year-later","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QbddjA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:51.310-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:11.976-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is the economic hub of the Southeast, serving as the headquarters for major corporations, film studios and the most traveled airport on the planet, but that\u0026rsquo;s only a small part of the economy. The census shows that nearly 15,000 businesses call the city of Atlanta home, including a significant number of Black-owned businesses. So, when COVID-19 forced nearly one in three Georgia small businesses to close (the majority of them BIPOC-owned), it became apparent that Atlanta needed help to accelerate recovery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnter: Wells Fargo.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial institution provided a \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/Wells-Fargo-Donates-20-Million-to-Strengthen-Small-Businesses-in-Atlanta-/default.aspx\"\u003egenerous donation of $20 million\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover. \u0026ldquo;As a company, we have a commitment to make the communities where we operate stronger,\u0026rdquo; says Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo\u0026rsquo;s CEO. \u0026ldquo;Making a large donation in Atlanta was important to us. We know it will make a difference for small business owners here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith dollars in hand, Invest Atlanta partnered with United Way to create the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business \u003c/a\u003eFund. The program is helping businesses, primarily owners of color, recover and come back stronger by providing them the means to invest in commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta Open for Business gives small business owners the opportunity to grow and expand by owning more of their own assets\u0026mdash;which can be a game changer for the financial health of any business,\u0026rdquo; explains Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta got to work right away, launching three programs:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Fund - Up to $100,000 in low-interest loans to help a business obtain tangible assets like real estate.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant - Up to $50,000 to allow a business owner to complete internal or external improvements to their commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program - Low-interest financing to assist existing business owners acquire commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta also helps businesses with their applications, helping businesses pull together the information needed to complete their grant applications.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese programs have already started providing funds to small businesses in the city. Through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund, Invest Atlanta has distributed more than half a million dollars to seven business owners. The average loan amount for each recipient last year was more than $70,000, a real and tangible impact for everyone who qualified.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is actively working to process applications for the Commercial Property Improvement Grant and Commercial Down Payment Assistance Grant and expects to disperse funds soon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the year, you will meet the inspiring people who are benefiting from the help of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund. We invite you to stay tuned to our social media accounts to learn more about some of the businesses in your backyard who are Open for Business and serving their communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re interested in expanding your business and are seeking the funding to make that a reality, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eOpen for Business\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to apply. Funds are limited, so submit your application as soon as you can. Technical assistance is available if necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":475,"title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","promo_title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2360,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"wei6.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":158893,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.000-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.796-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.294-04:00","filename_hash":"wei6_P1jN8oo.jpg","width":907,"height":767},"filename":"wei-announces-cohort-6","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AW-vHA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of Cohort # 6 include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMichelle Clay | FREEALITEA\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAhriana Edwards | Vaila Shoes\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber Enadeghe | Artistically Esoteric\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRose Paddyfoot-Gordon | Dba Pink Maison\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarrie Hadley | INDIEHOUSE modern fragrances\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittany Hardy | The Hardy Clinic\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Ramirez-Herrera | OffThaRecord/OTR\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittny James | Project Chick Planner\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRodeline Joseph | Medsembly\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda Kinsey | Amanda\u0026#39;s BarBeeQue\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKatrina Morrison | Mocha Travel\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRhea Perkins | Attyre Delivery\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOlivia Rios | Cold Mountain\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTyana Singletary | BeUTee Bath and Body\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMoneisha White | White Labs Services\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI was founded to help women build thriving, successful businesses. As part of Invest Atlanta, WEI is the only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. Backed by research and findings from leading institutions on women business owners, and with local women entrepreneurs serving as thought leaders, WEI provides participants with a range of resources to carry out their entrepreneurial vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":477,"title":"Mayor Andre Dickens Awards Grants to Atlanta Creatives","promo_title":"Mayor Andre Dickens Awards Grants to Atlanta Creatives","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2356,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"img_4614.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":10405995,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:04.257-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:05.424-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:40:31.335-04:00","filename_hash":"img_4614_ooZvY2M.jpg","width":4978,"height":3456},"filename":"mayor-andre-dickens-awards-grants-to-atlanta-creatives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XNfQjA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:37:20.215-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:40:31.300-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta has awarded 125 grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs through the Creative Industries Grant Fund, a joint program of Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta awarded 125 grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs through the Creative Industries Grant Fund, a joint program of Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. The program offered grants in the amounts of $5,000 to $20,000, totaling more than $700,000, to ensure creative industries in Atlanta continue to thrive for decades to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKiah Clingman, producer, KiahCan Productions, was a recipient of one of those grants and says the funding goes a long way in her line of work. \u0026ldquo;When you commit your life\u0026#39;s journey to being an independent filmmaker, you automatically commit to the hustle of exhausting every resource possible to bring a project to life,\u0026rdquo; explains Kiah. \u0026ldquo;Whether it\u0026#39;s through investors, grants, loans or asking family and friends, the financing part of filmmaking proves to be a tedious one. Without grants and access to funding like the opportunity Creative Industries Grant Fund extended so graciously, it would be significantly more challenging to execute creative projects.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally launched in 2017 as a loan program administered by Invest Atlanta on behalf of the City of Atlanta, the program was converted to the Creative Industries Grant Fund to support creative professionals as they recover from economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Grant Fund gave us an additional tool to support a large and growing sector of jobs and talent to further strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s burgeoning reputation as a global entertainment hub,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a footprint we look forward to increasing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrant awards can be used for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAwardees include independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs located within the city of Atlanta who plan to create content within the city of Atlanta; independent record, management labels and their talent that are located within the city of Atlanta; and independent businesses who provide educational resources and platforms to creative entrepreneurs, including creative accelerators and incubators.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Creatives have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic as performing arts centers closed. Events were called off and studios were temporarily shuttered,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Eighty-four percent of creatives who responded to a 2020 Invest Atlanta survey said their income fell, and we recognize that many are still working to regain their footing, which makes this round of funding especially impactful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Creative Industries Grant Fund program also supports the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Mobility Plan objectives, including stimulating growth of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy, industry sectors and businesses and creating pathways that strengthen the ability of entrepreneurs and small business owners to create and maintain thriving businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":469,"title":"Good Starters ","promo_title":"Good Starters ","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2319,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"india_jha_square.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":517258,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:41.042-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:41.703-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-07T09:56:30.309-05:00","filename_hash":"india_jha_square_M3qPXq1.jpg","width":1679,"height":1679},"filename":"good-starters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"j_MRag","created_at":"2023-01-30T12:03:46.876-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:51.142-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut it wasn\u0026#39;t until India participated in a Goodie Nation hackathon focused on making Atlanta more economically inclusive that a light bulb went off \u0026ndash; she could engineer a tech solution to solve that very problem for one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s most marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Obtaining vital records, like birth certificates, is extremely important for the homeless; it\u0026rsquo;s the invisible key that unlocks many doors,\u0026rdquo; explains India. \u0026ldquo;Over 50% of the homeless cannot get access to medical benefits, government benefits, employment and more due to lack of vital records. It is most certainly the foundational first step.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia and her team created \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e as a compassionate tech hub that obtains legal forms of identification, government and life-critical benefits for the homeless and those that serve them. \u0026ldquo;Our partner average is around 6-9 months without Mini City\u0026#39;s software,\u0026rdquo; says India, \u0026ldquo;and with our software, we\u0026rsquo;re able to obtain vital records and benefits within weeks.\u0026rdquo; In fact, Mini City just launched a new partnership with Equifax to further validate identification in seconds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia forged another valuable connection with the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) with help from the Invest Atlanta Innovation \u0026amp; Entrepreneurship Office Hours program, which serves as a concierge for businesses seeking support, technical assistance, capital and talent. PIN, which offers access to funding and support networks through resources across business, research universities and government, awarded Mini City with a $250,000 grant \u0026ndash; essential capital as India looks to expand on a municipal level throughout the city of Atlanta and Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia says her team members don\u0026#39;t consider themselves do-gooders, but rather good-starters, and are especially moved when they\u0026#39;re able to assist homeless youth with records and the subsequent benefits it unlocks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To help homeless youth get their first form of legal identification, bank account and government benefits so that they can start their dream job, move into that first apartment or enroll in an education program is always most inspiring to us,\u0026rdquo; says India. \u0026ldquo;It means a whole path has changed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":467,"title":"Mission-Driven Investments","promo_title":"Mission-Driven Investments","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2313,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":984243,"resource_updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:19:35.962-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-01-30T11:19:36.943-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-31T11:31:24.015-05:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_3kW2oyB.jpg","width":2918,"height":1712},"filename":"mission-driven-investments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bANBSg","created_at":"2023-01-30T11:21:52.909-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-31T11:31:23.819-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) and the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) have invested $185,000 into four mission-driven ventures to expand their impact in the communities they serve. These investments represent the fifth round of flexible, zero-percent interest loans through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, which was established to intentionally invest in Atlanta-based civic ventures.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) and the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) have invested $185,000 into four mission-driven ventures to expand their impact in the communities they serve. These investments represent the fifth round of flexible, zero-percent interest loans through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, which was established to intentionally invest in Atlanta-based civic ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Stephen McRae, president of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., social entrepreneurship is an essential tool in the fight to make Atlanta a more equitable city. \u0026quot;Not only are these four innovative entrepreneurs scaling their businesses and growing the local economy, but they are directly tackling key social issues in their communities,\u0026rdquo; said McRae. \u0026ldquo;Their work is creating real impact, and Atlanta is fortunate to have such passionate and driven leaders fighting for its future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecipients of the AEMI and CCI investment include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://trudiary.com/\"\u003eTruDiary\u003c/a\u003e offers equitable, quality prenatal care for all moms \u0026ndash; providing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) services, such as food security, mental health support, lactation services, and transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.helpingempoweryouth.org/\"\u003eHelping Empower Youth (HEY!)\u003c/a\u003e equips youth to be leaders through three initiatives \u0026ndash; S.T.E.A.M., a leadership academy and reading program, and devises needs-based programming focused on providing alternatives and options for area youth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://makemusiccount.com/\"\u003eMake Music Count\u003c/a\u003e is a math curriculum and app taught through playing the piano. Students improve math skills live and online guided by tutors playing the latest popular songs with its STEAM and SEL curriculum and app for 2nd - 12th grade students.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesaveinstitute.org/\"\u003eSAVE Institute\u003c/a\u003e is an innovative alternative to traditional high school that allows\u0026nbsp;students to learn academics through projects, life experiences, agriculture, vocational training and implementing business enterprises.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll four entrepreneurs are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s Civic Innovation Fellowship program, which invests in and amplifies the work of community leaders, entrepreneurs and movement builders who are actively solving inequality in Atlanta. The program has supported the work of over 100 community leaders, who have gone on to inform and inspire real policy change in Atlanta and beyond.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In spite of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s widening inequality, which is once again the worst in the country, these leaders provide tangible programs and services that give us a fighting chance to solve it,\u0026rdquo; says\u0026nbsp;Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation. \u0026ldquo;This program invests in people who don\u0026#39;t just talk about community, they embody it in who they are and all they do. Truth is the return on investment by solving inequality in our city is better than any other single investment this city could make. It will pay dividends for generations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince launching in 2017, the Civic Impact Loan Fund has provided more than $900,000 in loans to 20 early-stage businesses focused on community engagement, the arts, food security, wellness and education. To date, 80% of those loans have funded Black entrepreneurs, and 80% of all loans have gone to women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fund utilizes an innovative character-based underwriting model that leverages AEMI and CCI\u0026#39;s resources and relationships with social enterprises, rather than traditional underwriting measures such as credit scores, collateral, or revenue history. A goal\u0026nbsp;of this fund is to inspire other investors in Atlanta to replicate this model of investing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe partnership also leverages each organizations\u0026#39; services, as AEMI and Invest Atlanta provide underwriting, loan servicing and back-office support for the fund, while CCI leads hands-on training, operational support and the application process for the entrepreneurs seeking capital investments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional capital for the 2022 round was provided by the Atlanta office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and JP Morgan Chase\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":468,"title":"Supporting Businesses that Lift Up Brown and Black Communities","promo_title":"Supporting Businesses that Lift Up Brown and Black Communities","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2314,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"bcm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":325638,"resource_updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:25.380-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:26.140-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.879-05:00","filename_hash":"bcm_KZpE9Jv.png","width":360,"height":408},"filename":"supporting-businesses-that-lift-up-brown-and-black-communities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DuB6dg","created_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.815-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.815-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) recently closed $275,000 in leverage loans to support two companies \u0026ndash; Brown Toy Box and Beautiful Curly Me \u0026ndash; both of which are focused on representation in children\u0026rsquo;s play, boost confidence and reduce America\u0026rsquo;s racial wealth gap.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) recently closed $275,000 in leverage loans to support two companies \u0026ndash; Brown Toy Box and Beautiful Curly Me \u0026ndash; both of which are focused on representation in children\u0026rsquo;s play, boost confidence and reduce America\u0026rsquo;s racial wealth gap.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://browntoybox.com/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrown Toy Box \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003eis an educational toy company featuring STEAM toys, media and experiences that celebrate Black children. Since receiving its first AEMI funding, Brown Toy Box has secured a contract with Target in 2021 and was featured on Oprah Winfrey\u0026rsquo;s 2022 \u0026ldquo;Favorite Things List.\u0026rdquo; This latest round of financing in partnership with AEMI and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs will provide Brown Toy Box with working capital and support inventory purchases to fulfill demand generated by the Oprah Winfrey announcement and the holiday season.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://beautifulcurlyme.com/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeautiful Curly Me \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003eis a social impact toy and media company that is inspiring confidence in young Black and Brown girls through dolls, puzzles, books and more. Founded by a mother-daughter duo, the idea for Beautiful Curly Me was sparked by now 10-year-old CEO and co-founder, Zoe, who writes the empowering books herself. All products foster self-confidence and love through representation in play. And, for every doll purchased, Beautiful Curly Me gives another doll to an underprivileged girl. AEMI financing will support the company\u0026rsquo;s inventory production, increased marketing and an additional part-time operations employee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI was created in 2006 by Invest Atlanta, the City\u0026rsquo;s official economic development agency, to utilize federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to attract private capital to fund neighborhood revitalization and job creation projects. AEMI is committed to funding community development projects that are part of holistic development initiatives or promote healthy neighborhoods, as well as provide increased access to jobs and services for underserved residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":465,"title":"Part of My Purpose","promo_title":"Part of My Purpose","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2152,"parent_id":135,"resource_file_name":"bm2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":71925,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:48.608-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:49.358-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.628-05:00","filename_hash":"bm2_mJNq2BP.jpg","width":640,"height":427},"filename":"part-of-my-purpose","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YSZ-fg","created_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.546-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.546-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n David Kowalski has core memories of going to estate sales and auction houses with his grandmother when he was young. Early on she instilled in him her design sensibility and love of the hunt.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDavid Kowalski has core memories of going to estate sales and auction houses with his grandmother when he was young. Early on she instilled in him her design sensibility and love of the hunt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;My grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life,\u0026rdquo; says David. \u0026ldquo;She led with compassion and had a deep appreciation for travel, culture and history. I definitely share her passions, which led me to create \u003ca href=\"https://thisisbrickandmortar.com/\"\u003eBrick + Mortar\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnexpectedly laid off from his job, David began selling treasurers he collected from his travels in antique warehouses and online marketplaces. Realizing he could make a living doing what he loved, he opened Brick + Mortar in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside Provisions District, which specializes in vintage and antique d\u0026eacute;cor, as well as hand-poured candles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid\u0026rsquo;s candle collection, which features nostalgic southern scents, quickly grew to consume 90% of his time and 80% of his profits. This success opened the door for David to pursue yet another venture \u0026ndash; partnering with \u003ca href=\"https://thisisbrickandmortar.com/city-of-refuge\"\u003eCity of Refuge\u003c/a\u003e to create a jobs program for women transitioning out of crisis and homelessness.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid says programs like his offer a critical pathway to sustainable employment, income and most importantly, dignity. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s always been a dream to scale a product and create a jobs program,\u0026rdquo; says David. \u0026ldquo;Candles proved to be the perfect product. It\u0026rsquo;s the hardest thing I\u0026#39;ve ever done but definitely part\u0026nbsp;of my purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid was a recipient of the Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund, which helped him continue payroll during the economic challenges of COVID-19. The grant, which was created in 2020 to support economic growth and recovery from the effects of the pandemic, helps qualifying city of Atlanta businesses pay for COVID-related business changes and costs. The fund was relaunched in 2022 and was expanded to include nonprofits and payroll.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Throughout the pandemic, it\u0026rsquo;s been so important for me to continue paying employees who can\u0026rsquo;t support themselves without this jobs program,\u0026rdquo; explains David. \u0026ldquo;This grant freed me from that worry. I\u0026rsquo;m grateful to have received it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":461,"title":"New Program Helps Small Businesses Acquire Property","promo_title":"New Program Helps Small Businesses Acquire Property","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2141,"parent_id":132,"resource_file_name":"mantle1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1561656,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-14T13:33:56.400-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-14T13:33:57.104-05:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:38:51.257-04:00","filename_hash":"mantle1_WV29m21.png","width":1729,"height":724},"filename":"new-program-helps-small-businesses-acquire-property","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"s0v-FQ","created_at":"2022-11-28T10:24:12.897-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T13:44:31.801-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta now offers a new $3.5 million loan program to help local small businesses build equity. Through the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program (CDPA), Atlanta small businesses are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta now offers a new $3.5 million loan program to help local small businesses build equity. Through the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program (CDPA), Atlanta small businesses are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe CDPA program is the third initiative that United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have rolled out as a part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, supported by Wells Fargo. The fund is made possible by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help the owners of Atlanta small businesses own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets \u0026ndash; including property and equipment \u0026ndash; and fund physical upgrades to their facilities. United Way and Invest Atlanta are distributing the Atlanta Open for Business Fund as a mix of grants and loan programs with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHealthy, thriving local businesses are a cornerstone of Atlanta communities. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted that \u0026ldquo;Inflation and economic strains resulting from the pandemic have made many small businesses increasingly vulnerable to displacement,\u0026rdquo; says Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Open for Business Fund is designed to help Atlanta businesses keep their doors open and expand and develop a resiliency that withstands unforeseen economic challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCDPA loan recipients must be an existing small business with a City of Atlanta business license interested in acquiring commercial real estate in the city of Atlanta with emphasis in low-income census tracts, Federal Opportunity Zone areas, disadvantaged neighborhoods or a New Markets Tax Credit-approved area neighborhood. Businesses must also demonstrate growth potential in their industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, says the timing of programs like the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program and other companion resources are crucial because an estimated 25% of businesses do not open again after a major disaster like a global pandemic. \u0026ldquo;What we are doing with the support of Wells Fargo is offering small businesses resources that give them the means to withstand economic uncertainty to build long-term wealth,\u0026rdquo; says Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn June, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta successfully launched the first Atlanta Open for Business program \u0026ndash; the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program (ARLP) \u0026ndash; that provides 3% interest loans to small businesses interested in acquiring tangible business assets. The Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG) was launched in August, providing grants for small businesses of up to $50,000 for exterior and interior enhancements to their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Supporting racially and ethnically diverse small business owners is essential to the equitable growth of our communities and to the economic success of Greater Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s through partnerships like ours with Wells Fargo, the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta that we are able to give small businesses in our city the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about and apply for the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, small business owners should visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/cdpa\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/cdpa\u003c/a\u003e. Small businesses interested in the program may request assistance with their application through Invest Atlanta by visiting \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":459,"title":"Answering the Call","promo_title":"Answering the Call","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2131,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":40181,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:53.993-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:54.027-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.730-04:00","filename_hash":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-_g3o461e.jpg","width":400,"height":400},"filename":"answering-the-call","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sZgFbA","created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I envisioned myself sitting on a beach, taking a call from a client,\u0026rdquo; explains Alcide. \u0026ldquo;I know I won\u0026rsquo;t remember to bill that call when I get back to office. That\u0026rsquo;s lost revenue, and it adds up.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, studies show that 40% of billable mobile calls with clients go unbilled. Knowing he had an idea worth exploring, Alcide engaged his brother, Armond Honor\u0026eacute;, who is a software engineer, and together they launched \u003ca href=\"https://billseye.com/\"\u003eBillseye\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBillseye is the first and only real-time mobile call billing solution that captures client calls and automatically records relevant data, such as the date, time and length of call. Using the app, users simply push the blue Billseye icon to answer incoming client calls, which appears on the phone\u0026rsquo;s home screen above the red \u0026ldquo;decline\u0026rdquo; or green \u0026ldquo;accept\u0026rdquo; buttons.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide knew the Billseye solution would appeal to attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals. He didn\u0026rsquo;t anticipate a full 40% of Billseye users would be under the age of 25 \u0026ndash; freelancers, influencers and solopreneurs who rely on their phones to manage their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;How we work has changed so much, especially after the pandemic,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;So much that\u0026nbsp;we adjusted our roadmap and marketing strategy to help people in the new economy capture billable hours and get paid fairly for the service they provide.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide, who still moonlights as an attorney, describes Billseye as a bootstrapped startup that\u0026rsquo;s trying to get its footing, raise funds and accommodate growth. Invest Atlanta has been a key supporter along this journey, providing a low-interest loan for equipment and consulting resources, as well as a New and Emerging Tech Tax Waiver, which waives the fees associated with obtaining a business license for five years. Alcide has also applied for a Resurgence Grant and has taken advantage of the ATLinBusiness portal for marketing support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been amazing to transform an idea into something tangible and have support from Invest Atlanta along the way,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;Our contacts at Invest Atlanta are so responsive; they know which resources are applicable to our business and proactively suggest opportunities. It\u0026rsquo;s great to have people who recognize the value of what we\u0026rsquo;re doing and actively support it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":456,"title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2022-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2061,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wei-hermove-queen-logo.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":971973,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:50.204-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:51.120-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.573-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-hermove-queen-logo_k3Nlpm8.jpg","width":3116,"height":3658},"filename":"atlantas-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2022-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uFtJiw","created_at":"2022-09-26T13:02:43.377-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.525-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The 15-month incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries from transportation and logistics to healthcare, media, education, and consumer goods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 600 jobs for the City of Atlanta and its entrepreneurs have garnered more than $4 million in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on creating an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive, to help advance equity and equality in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;WEI is another shining example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work to fulfill our mission of making sure all Atlantans have equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation as we continue to move Atlanta forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis cohort\u0026rsquo;s theme \u0026ndash; \u0026ldquo;HerMove\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; celebrates the strategic role that women play in entrepreneurial leadership with its new class of entrepreneurs in districts from the southside, westside and northside, showcasing the growing diversity and inclusion of its business community. WEI provides access to practical\u0026nbsp;business education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business\u0026nbsp;support services, including collaborative co-working space at the historic Flatiron Building in\u0026nbsp;downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Women-owned businesses play a major role in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial ecosystem and are vital to the success of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Businesses founded and helmed by women represent 42% of all U.S. businesses and statistics show that women reinvest 90% of their income into their families and their local community, so supporting them is a win-win.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI and Invest Atlanta prove once again, women founders are profitable, innovative and impactful; and that our fair city is a guiding star for diversity, equity and inclusion in entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of WEI.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Cohort 5 is positioned to bring continued accolades and awards to help make Atlanta the most economically competitive and dynamic city in the world.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFifth cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAgate Solutions LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eArt In The Paint Corporation\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAsk Me Your MD, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCould Be Pretty Cool LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFourth Party LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHelping Empower Youth Incorporated (HEY!)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHERide\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHillendell Medical Training\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIHCBP Infinity Holdings INC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJo David Design Studio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKore Beauty Co. LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLapapoe LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePretty Luxe Picnics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRAW Body Essentials\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eREADI Consulting, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":455,"title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","promo_title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2059,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":380209,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.747-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.793-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.706-04:00","filename_hash":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-_6XBEWeX.png","width":940,"height":788},"filename":"congratulations-to-the-2022-reimagine-opportunity-small-business-cohort","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gb61cA","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:59:07.219-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.674-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program is a 10-week curriculum designed to equip entrepreneurs with digital skillsets to launch their business to the next level. Topics include everything from financial statements and managing a remote team to marketing, branding, SEO optimization, cyber security and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Reimagine Opportunity Cohort program was an excellent opportunity for my company to gain the expertise needed to pivot in a new direction,\u0026rdquo; says Lisa Johnson, executive director of Mathtopian Preparation Inc. \u0026ldquo;The support of the staff and the camaraderie between cohort members inspired me to embrace the idea of major change to our service model.\u0026nbsp; Many of us have had little formal business training and after the Reimagine experience, can apply what we\u0026#39;ve learned to our day-to-day operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":454,"title":"A Family Legacy","promo_title":"A Family Legacy","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2057,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"khadija_head_1_-1-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":120440,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:53:09.676-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T11:53:10.498-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.083-04:00","filename_hash":"khadija_head_1_-1-_6XBEWaV.jpg","width":640,"height":414},"filename":"a-family-legacy","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"l4ZVRg","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.038-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.038-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Like so many, Khadija J. Head had a life-changing, ah-ha moment during the pandemic. The career athlete and collegiate basketball coach had spent her entire life immersed in the sport she loved. But since there was no basketball being played during the early days of COVID-19, she returned home to Atlanta and dove into the family plumbing business.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLike so many, Khadija J. Head had a life-changing, ah-ha moment during the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe career athlete and collegiate basketball coach had spent her entire life immersed in the sport she loved. But since there was no basketball being played during the early days of COVID-19, she returned home to Atlanta and dove into the family plumbing business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I gained a greater understanding of the business and just how unique and special it is,\u0026rdquo; says Khadija. \u0026ldquo;It was my first opportunity to contribute to the legacy that\u0026rsquo;s provided for my family for so many years.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded by her parents in 1981, \u003ca\u003eHead\u0026#39;s Plumbing Sales and Service, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, has employed four generations of family members and is the oldest Black-owned plumbing company in Georgia. For years, her grandfather worked alongside her parents, and now Khadija and her brother, Odari, manage the business. Odari\u0026rsquo;s two sons are also learning the trade.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I jumped off the metaphorical cliff and decided to invest in something that will outlive me,\u0026rdquo; says Khadija. \u0026ldquo;It was the best decision that took me too long to make.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince plumbing was deemed an essential business during the pandemic, one of the first things Khadija did was apply for a Resurgence Grant, which not only helped the company make payroll and cover expenses during the uncertain time, it also paved the way for a new revenue stream with the addition of a septic truck.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKhadija says working with Invest Atlanta was such a positive experience that she later jumped at the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort. During the 10-week program, Khadija learned how financial statements provide insight into the overall health of a business and the importance of serving a target audience. \u0026ldquo;My main takeaway was that you really need a tribe of support,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Being exposed to other entrepreneurs empowered me to think bigger.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKhadija has also taken advantage of the ATLinBusiness portal, which connects small business owners and entrepreneurs with consultants who specialize in various business functions, including finance, business planning, marketing, human resources, legal and web development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery step along the way, Khadija says Invest Atlanta has made her feel seen and possible as an entrepreneur. \u0026ldquo;They advocate for businesses no matter what phase you\u0026rsquo;re in and position you for success,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;ve been a great partner and investor in Head\u0026#39;s Plumbing Sales and Service. I\u0026rsquo;m so appreciative of their support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"_com_1\" uage=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":453,"title":"Inspiring Creativity Through Funding","promo_title":"Inspiring Creativity Through Funding","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":849,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"creative_industries.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":108389,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-02T15:08:42.465-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-02T15:08:42.497-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.591-04:00","filename_hash":"creative_industries_KDvLPYx.jpg","width":1000,"height":680},"filename":"inspiring-creativity-through-funding","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lBUW0g","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.519-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.519-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta hope to inspire creatives with help from funding assistance through the newly announced Creative Industries Grant Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta hope to inspire creatives with help from funding assistance through the newly announced Creative Industries Grant Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe joint pilot program of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta will offer grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs to help further their projects. Recipients can use the grant funding to support anything from production, post-production and distribution to marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development, sales and attraction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCreative Industries Grant Fund applications will be reviewed by a committee of Creative Industries Advisory Board and Invest Atlanta personnel, and grant amounts will range from $5,000 - $20,000.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEligible applicants include:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent content creators and creative entrepreneurs located within the city of Atlanta who plan to create content within the city of Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating a business within the city with a valid City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u0026nbsp;Independent record, management labels and their talent that are located within the city of Atlanta with a valid City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent businesses that provide educational resources and platforms to creative entrepreneurs, including creative accelerators and incubators.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo apply, visit \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-grant-fund\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/creatives\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":445,"title":" Invest Atlanta Joins Project to Boost High-Quality Jobs ","promo_title":" Invest Atlanta Joins Project to Boost High-Quality Jobs ","published_date":"2022-06-23","featured_image":{"id":1966,"parent_id":119,"resource_file_name":"rfa_rgb-1024x464.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":9314,"resource_updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:19:48.131-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-06-23T12:19:48.735-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.209-04:00","filename_hash":"rfa_rgb-1024x464_538yevq.png","width":1024,"height":464},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-project-to-boost-high-quality-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NnAjEA","created_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.130-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.130-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is one of 20 jurisdictions across the United States elected to participate in Results for America\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"https://results4america.org/the-good-jobs-equity-project/\"\u003eGood Jobs \u0026amp; Equity Project\u003c/a\u003e. The initiative, supported by the \u003ca href=\"https://familiesandworkers.org/\"\u003eFamilies and Workers Fund\u003c/a\u003e, helps state, local and tribal governments use federal recovery investments from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) improve job quality and advance workforce equity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Good Jobs \u0026amp; Equity Project was created to support communities in using data to invest in creating higher quality jobs in their communities, particularly for historically underserved residents. Participants will review what constitutes a \u003ca href=\"https://results4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Good-Jobs-Equity-Project-JQP-Framework-Excerpt.pdf\"\u003egood job\u003c/a\u003e, including everything from basic needs and economic drivers to compensation, benefits and safety \u0026ndash; all of which have a direct link to equity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an honor to be a part of this project because one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s core tenets is helping Atlantans build careers through good, middle-income jobs,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Good jobs are not only the foundation to building generational wealth, but also fortify local economies, strengthen our communities and narrow the equity gap.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBringing together leaders from across the country to meet with national experts, the initiative will offer hands-on learning, personal coaching and ready-made resources that provide the knowledge and tools to invest in evidenced-based job quality programs with existing ARP or IIJA funding. Leaders will develop a deeper understanding of the historical connection between job quality, equity and discrimination, and will identify opportunities to create change.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Results for America is thrilled to work with a few select communities to develop new data-driven models to create higher quality jobs \u0026ndash; jobs that are fundamental to the long-term growth and prosperity of communities,\u0026rdquo; said Zachary Markovits, Results for America\u0026rsquo;s Vice President and Local Practice Lead. \u0026ldquo;This is an historic opportunity to reimagine and rebuild a more equitable society.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first phase of the project will begin in June and run through November 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information, visit \u003ca href=\"http://results4america.org/\"\u003eresults4america.org\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":444,"title":"New Small Business Loan Program Opens ","promo_title":"New Small Business Loan Program Opens ","published_date":"2022-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1958,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"tk_atlanta_open_for_business_fund_site_mantle6_page_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":638493,"resource_updated_at":"2022-06-13T13:45:55.526-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-06-13T13:45:56.416-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:39:56.160-04:00","filename_hash":"tk_atlanta_open_for_business_fund_site_mantle6_page_2_4BDVEJm.png","width":1306,"height":500},"filename":"new-small-business-loan-program-opens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rZr2wg","created_at":"2022-06-22T17:11:59.064-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-22T17:11:59.064-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith support from Wells Fargo, Invest Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) launched a new loan program to help Atlanta small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Recovery Loan Program is a $5.7 million program, offering low-cost loans to help small businesses grow ownership of tangible assets to help them build wealth and avoid displacement due to changing economic conditions. It is the first of four initiatives Invest Atlanta and UWGA will roll out as a part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without adequate financing to survive disruptions like the pandemic, most small businesses struggle to maintain their companies, let alone attain assets to grow them,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;This program will serve as yet another invaluable asset to help Atlantans build a resilient foundation for their companies.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This resource is a strategy to help small businesses purchase commercial property and assets for growth so they can develop generational wealth and increase economic mobility that enhances their communities,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This loan program will help more businesses recover quickly and open a pathway to growth for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible businesses include existing businesses with less than 500 employees, partnerships or sole proprietorships and nonprofits with a focus on diverse-led or supporting diverse communities. Businesses in all commercial areas in the city of Atlanta, including those operating on City of Atlanta-owned property, are eligible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe maximum direct loan amount is $25,000 - $100,000 at an interest rate not to exceed 3% repaid monthly over a term not to exceed seven years, providing businesses access to lower-cost, fixed-rate capital in a market where interest rates are rising.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Open for Business Fund is made possible through a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, offering a mix of grants and loan programs with a focus on diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program and to apply, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/atlantarecovery\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/atlantarecovery\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":440,"title":"Always with Passion","promo_title":"Always with Passion","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1938,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"24232868_1980548812183073_774213409919875210_n.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":34108,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:38:24.824-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T09:38:26.481-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:42:36.013-04:00","filename_hash":"24232868_1980548812183073_774213409919875210_n_lPaVBoe.png","width":500,"height":500},"filename":"always-with-passion","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2iJoNA","created_at":"2022-05-26T09:39:00.832-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:42:35.944-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAZ Yeamen is a natural-born storyteller, who believes great screenwriting is never heard, never read; it\u0026rsquo;s felt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn established writer and producer, Yeamen is the founder and executive director of Bridge 17 Scriptwriters Studio, where she pursues her own career in script and story development and shares her love of craft with others.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYeamen established Bridge 17 Scriptwriters in 2009, offering a range of services to facilitate the creative process, including workshops, seminars, writer-for-hire services, as well as a flexible workspace for the creative community. \u0026ldquo;Bridge 17 answers a need,\u0026rdquo; says Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;My goal is to make writing sexy and provide a collaborative space for diverse voices that\u0026rsquo;s unique to Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocal writers use the 1,650-square-foot loft office located in the heart of the historic Castleberry Hill district as a place to work, learn and find inspiration. \u0026quot;If it is in any way connected to the craft of storytelling, we accommodate it here,\u0026quot; explains Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;We understand the world of the writer because we are writers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Yeamen, Invest Atlanta was integral to her transition to become a full-fledged business with contractors and employees. Not only did Invest Atlanta help her secure a loan to build out the Bridge 17 space, it also provided critical support during COVID-19, including a Resurgence Grant and guidance on transitioning from in-person to an online community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Support from Invest Atlanta feels personal, like a partnership,\u0026rdquo; says Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;They were the only ones who really understood my vision from the start and have helped me serve the creative community in ways I never could\u0026rsquo;ve imagined.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":442,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Urban League of Greater Atlanta Host Roundtable with EXIM Bank President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Urban League of Greater Atlanta Host Roundtable with EXIM Bank President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis ","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1941,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"283140448_385187156981941_3339691852623982078_n.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":246680,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:58:34.524-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T09:58:34.562-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:41:57.103-04:00","filename_hash":"283140448_385187156981941_3339691852623982078_n_g36Vey3.jpg","width":1425,"height":801},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-urban-league-of-greater-atlanta-host-roundtable-with-exim-bank-president-and-chair-reta-jo-lewis","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rAfOkA","created_at":"2022-05-26T09:59:45.842-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:41:57.065-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta hosted EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis (EXIM) for a roundtable discussion on May 20 with Atlanta-based minority and women business leaders who export to share information on exporting and how that can help businesses achieve sustainable growth and compete effectively in the global marketplace.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta hosted EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis (EXIM) for a roundtable discussion on May 20 with Atlanta-based minority and women business leaders who export to share information on exporting and how that can help businesses achieve sustainable growth and compete effectively in the global marketplace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChairman Lewis led the roundtable discussion in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s offices, where she was joined by Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO, Invest Atlanta and Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough partnerships like EXIM Bank, Invest Atlanta is building pathways for small- and large-scale manufacturers to access export financing and overseas markets.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to these resources will increase the global competitiveness of our local economy by empowering local businesses to participate in the global marketplace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Hosting EXIM President and Chair Lewis for this important discussion is the kind of insightful programming that we understand helps give small businesses the tools they need to compete in the global marketplace,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Small businesses make up nearly 90% of Georgia exporters, and we are eager to assist those in Atlanta improve their success by selling products globally.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is honored to be a key partner that helps facilitate the focus on Atlanta-based small, women and minority-owned business owners\u0026rsquo; access to the Export-Import Bank of the United States\u0026rsquo; portfolio of services and resources,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEXIM is the official Export Credit Agency (ECA) of the United States that focuses on maintaining and creating U.S. jobs through exports. In May, Lewis announced the creation of a new Council on Small Business, which will be a subcommittee of EXIM\u0026rsquo;s Advisory Committee and provide recommendations on ways EXIM can help more American small business exporters find new markets, achieve more sales, and lower the risk of selling internationally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, EXIM authorizations for minority- and women-owned businesses increased 10 percent. Eighty-seven percent of EXIM\u0026rsquo;s transactions directly benefitted U.S. small business exporters and 33 percent of total direct export value supported small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":434,"title":"Micron Technology Chooses Atlanta for Research Center, Creates 500 Jobs","promo_title":"Micron Technology Chooses Atlanta for Research Center, Creates 500 Jobs","published_date":"2021-12-20","featured_image":{"id":1786,"parent_id":86,"resource_file_name":"untitled_design_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":15125,"resource_updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:18.773-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:19.384-05:00","updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:29.070-05:00","filename_hash":"untitled_design_-1-_RJo5Ozl.png","width":600,"height":200},"filename":"micron-technology-chooses-atlanta-for-research-center-creates-500-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DNt5kw","created_at":"2021-12-20T15:08:37.159-05:00","updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:29.014-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Micron Technology Inc., one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, will open a state-of-the-art memory design center in Midtown Atlanta in January 2022. The new center will include offices, a data center, and research and development operations, creating 500 jobs in the metro Atlanta region.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMicron Technology Inc., one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, will open a state-of-the-art memory design center in Midtown Atlanta in January 2022. The new center will include offices, a data center, and research and development operations, creating 500 jobs in the metro Atlanta region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMicron is an industry leader in memory and storage solutions with operations across 17 countries. The Fortune 500 company delivers innovations that fuel the data economy in key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G applications, data center, intelligent edge, and across the client and mobile user experience. This new design center will be a key component to the company\u0026rsquo;s global technology and product development infrastructure, which has existing centers of excellence in multiple countries around the world, as well as in several U.S. locations, including Micron\u0026rsquo;s corporate headquarters and world-leading technology development center in Boise, Idaho.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has become an emerging hub for high-tech, characterized by a rich culture and university ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Scott DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Technology and Products at Micron. \u0026ldquo;Establishing a memory design center in Atlanta enables us to partner closely with world-class universities on leading-edge technology development and expand our talent pool with people who can bring different ideas, backgrounds, and experiences to our R\u0026amp;D and innovation efforts.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Technology companies are drawn to our city for its diverse and fast-growing pool of tech talent,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;With the addition of Micron Technology\u0026rsquo;s engineering center in Atlanta, we gain another world-class company within our thriving technology sector and a valuable partner in our efforts to create good-paying jobs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new 93,000-square-foot site will open its doors for business in January 2022. Micron plans to create jobs across various disciplines in memory and storage research and development; computer hardware, electrical and electronic engineering; modeling and simulation development; and business support roles with this expansion project. Individuals interested in career opportunities with Micron are encouraged to visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.micron.com/\"\u003ewww.micron.com\u003c/a\u003e for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":431,"title":"Made From Scratch","promo_title":"Made From Scratch","published_date":"2021-11-23","featured_image":{"id":1758,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"95328580_2594719547469048_4535995925734096896_n.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":578403,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.251-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.310-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.821-05:00","filename_hash":"95328580_2594719547469048_4535995925734096896_n_2ayyo1Y.png","width":1500,"height":500},"filename":"made-from-scratch","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XbHSCw","created_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.802-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.802-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Small business life is not foreign to Vaughn Hill. The opening of his bakery in November 2020 was a full-circle moment for the owner of yAAAs Cookies!\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSmall business life is not foreign to Vaughn Hill. Not too long ago, he spent his days self-employed as a freelance technology consultant, and established a couple of non-profit performing arts organizations in Pennsylvania. Hill realized that steering a company was natural for him; it was just a matter of finding the right niche. Little did he know, he wouldn\u0026rsquo;t have to look far. The opening of his bakery in November 2020 was a full-circle moment for the owner of yAAAs Cookies!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHill started his journey as baker, dabbling with his grandmother Myrtle Hill\u0026rsquo;s chocolate chip cookie recipe, as a preteen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I did not discover the recipe until many years after my grandmother\u0026rsquo;s passing,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;She passed when I was 9, and I did not find the recipe until my early teen years. It had always been there in my household, but I was the one who took it and used it the most.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnterprising from the beginning, he began selling his fresh-baked cookies during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays\u0026mdash;a service he figured would be a welcome reprieve for cooks, planning large meals. Hill was correct, and his customer base grew to prove it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs his entrepreneurial savvy increased, so did his product inventory, and he expanded his menu beyond the signature chocolate chip cookies, adding white chocolate chip, oatmeal, vegan, skinny cookies and gluten-free. His first foray as an online vendor began under the name \u0026ldquo;VaughnChris Cookies.\u0026rdquo; However, a few setbacks, including two relocations and finishing an Information Sciences and Technology degree, delayed Hill\u0026rsquo;s dream of one day owning a storefront. But he wasn\u0026rsquo;t deterred, not even by the pandemic, which was in full swing as he was preparing for an official launch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We started our business during the pandemic, and I didn\u0026rsquo;t have anything to compare to once the pandemic happened,\u0026rdquo; he explained. \u0026ldquo;So, I had no choice but to learn how to operate during the pandemic. Now, I feel as though, if I can operate during these crazy times, I can make it through anything.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe years of fine-tuning his family recipe to make it his own and building a loyal customer base as the launching pad for the company have made his life-long dream a thriving reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;When I was about 24, I added different ingredients to the recipe to divert from the original and create a signature cookie for myself,\u0026rdquo; explained Hill. \u0026ldquo;Once I had \u0026lsquo;my\u0026rsquo; recipe the way I wanted it, I started adding different toppings and building off of that original recipe to create different flavors. Now I have over 40 flavors at the bakery.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery batch of cookies is\u0026nbsp;individually hand-scooped with real ingredients and freshly baked-to-order. An Invest Atlanta loan funded all the equipment that Hill would need to outfit his East Atlanta bakery and shop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It started out as a late-night activity because we were movie watchers back in the day,\u0026rdquo; Hill said. \u0026ldquo;It was all about popcorn, some sweets, and I was always ready to whip up some cookies real quick. Originally, it was only something to do at the house for my immediate family, and then it grew to cousins, neighbors, friends, friends of friends and now the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":430,"title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","promo_title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1759,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"community-navigator-icon_original.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":51843,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.321-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.350-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.730-05:00","filename_hash":"community-navigator-icon_original_2ayyo1Y.png","width":624,"height":327},"filename":"grant-to-support-small-business-outreach","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8szMdQ","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:48:32.555-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.703-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUtilizing a \u0026ldquo;hub and spoke\u0026rdquo; model from public health care federal programming,\u0026nbsp;the Community Navigator\u0026nbsp;Pilot Program\u0026nbsp;will help level the playing field for entrepreneurs, especially underserved women, people of color,\u0026nbsp;veterans,\u0026nbsp;and rural and low-income communities.\u0026nbsp;Grantee\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;hubs\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;will serve as\u0026nbsp;centralized, lead organizations,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;will incorporate \u0026ldquo;spokes\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;leverage\u0026nbsp;partnerships\u0026nbsp;with deeply trusted community-based organizations\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses navigate government resources and\u0026nbsp;tap into\u0026nbsp;critical resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Community Navigator Pilot Program, SBA is engaging with states, local governments, resource partners and other organizations in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the\u0026nbsp;SBA has been focused on providing more tools\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses \u0026ndash; especially those in disinvested communities. \u0026ldquo;Through this partnership with the Georgia Microenterprise Network, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)\u0026nbsp;and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, we\u0026rsquo;re going to be able to provide technical assistance support to our businesses specifically in underinvested parts of town,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m excited about this relationship, excited about more funds coming to the city to support our businesses and excited to see what this investment will mean to a lot of our underserved communities and businesses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lsquo;Hubs\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Spokes\u0026rdquo; will partner to connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community to assistance during economic recovery, including financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procurement; marketing, operations, business development and exporting; as well as industry-specific training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"_com_4\" uage=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":425,"title":"Cisco, Capital on Tap Propel Job Growth in Atlanta’s Tech Sector","promo_title":"Cisco, Capital on Tap Propel Job Growth in Atlanta’s Tech Sector","published_date":"2021-10-25","featured_image":{"id":1732,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"07-19-stream-portman-codaplaza-8107-pano-edit-1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":23663565,"resource_updated_at":"2021-10-25T16:27:14.722-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-10-25T16:27:16.408-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-05T10:59:14.819-04:00","filename_hash":"07-19-stream-portman-codaplaza-8107-pano-edit-1_98aZxnV.jpg","width":8901,"height":5011},"filename":"cisco-capital-on-tap-propel-job-growth-in-atlantas-tech-sector","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xFvdmw","created_at":"2021-10-25T16:29:41.077-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-25T16:43:49.497-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003ch4\u003eCisco to Open Talent and Collaboration Center\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on what already is a strong pipeline of talent among Georgia colleges and universities, Cisco has announced that it will invest up to $41 million to open a Talent and Collaboration Center in the Coda building in Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCisco, a\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eFORTUNE\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e100 company and worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet, currently employs more than 1,000 Georgians across the state. The expansion project is expected to open in the summer of 2022, leading to the creation of up to 700 jobs in the metro region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Cisco Chief Financial Officer Scott Herren, the company\u0026rsquo;s growth plans are guided by its purpose to power an inclusive future for all. \u0026ldquo;This means building a workforce that is truly reflective of the world we live in,\u0026rdquo; said Herren. \u0026ldquo;Building on our deep roots in Georgia, we can\u0026rsquo;t wait to open our doors and begin hiring, and building that pipeline of diverse talent, while offering family-sustaining wages.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor the last two years, Atlanta has ranked as the No. 1 Tech Hub by\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eBusiness Facilities\u003c/em\u003e, and it continues to outpace the national average in both attracting and educating tech talent. Cisco will be tapping that talent, hiring in a variety of areas and skillsets, including engineering, customer experience and finance. Career opportunities also will be available to students and those early in their careers, as well as to more experienced professionals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s skilled, diverse talent base and welcoming business environment make the city an ideal location for leading global companies to grow,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This significant investment from Cisco will provide good job opportunities for residents while expanding Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s technology sector.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eCapital on Tap to Open U.S. Headquarters in Atlanta\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eU.K.-based Capital on Tap, an award-winning FinTech and payments company, will open its official U.S. headquarters in Atlanta to support its continued expansion in the U.S. The company plans to create approximately 50 new jobs by the end of 2021 and an additional 100 jobs by the end of 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeadquartered in London, Capital on Tap currently has an Atlanta office in Ponce City Market where it has grown to 15 people. The company is already outgrowing that space after moving into it during summer 2021 and is searching for a new Atlanta location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Zoe Newman, U.S. managing director for Capital on Tap, the company selected Atlanta as its U.S. headquarters because of its reputation as a FinTech and payments hub. \u0026ldquo;There is a depth of talent and experience here that will be invaluable to our continued hyper growth in the U.S.,\u0026rdquo; said Newman. \u0026ldquo;The local universities in and around Atlanta provide an incredible recruiting ground for us to build our business. The growth that we have seen with the U.S. launch has been incredible\u0026ndash;showing that the credit card is addressing a real market need for small businesses across the country.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe United Kingdom, in fact, has been one of the most important markets for international investment in Georgia, leading to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs across the state. Capital on Tap is currently hiring for positions in customer operations and compliance. It also plans to begin hiring for careers in digital marketing, engineering, and others as it expands.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Seventy percent of financial transactions on a global scale pass through companies in Georgia, which makes Atlanta a logical fit for Capital on Tap\u0026rsquo;s U.S. headquarters,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to welcome Capital on Tap to the city, where they will benefit from access to top talent, global connectivity through the Atlanta airport, and the welcoming, international business community the city offers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCapital on Tap is focused on making the lives of small- and medium-sized business owners easier through the Capital on Tap business credit card, issued by WebBank. It aims to provide access to more than $2 billion in funding to businesses across the United States over the next 18 months.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndividuals interested in working with Capital on Tap are encouraged to visit \u003ca href=\"https://boards.greenhouse.io/capitalontap\"\u003ehttps://boards.greenhouse.io/capitalontap\u003c/a\u003e or email \u003ca href=\"mailto:jacqueline.hart@capitalontap.com\"\u003ejacqueline.hart@capitalontap.com\u003c/a\u003e for more information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":422,"title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","promo_title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1700,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"witwweb.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":269253,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.436-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.483-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.254-04:00","filename_hash":"witwweb_gvwMJeN.png","width":1280,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-organizations-come-together-to-empower-women","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"r6u6_w","created_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n According to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatistics show that working women have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in January 2021 alone, some 275,000 women\u0026mdash;accounting \u0026nbsp;for nearly 80% of all workers over age 20 \u0026ndash; left the workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut several Atlanta organizations have joined together to provide women with guidance and tactical tools to help combat this dip in employment. The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) and One Atlanta, launched \u0026ldquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; a hybrid roundtable and marketplace initiative featuring monthly programming to serve women throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe kickoff event, held Sept. 13-17, featured citywide programs and resources specific to women. Monthly programming will continue to serve women throughout Atlanta by addressing five areas of focus: Economic Mobility; Mental Health; Entrepreneurship; Families \u0026amp; Childcare; and Capital Investment \u0026amp; Resource Allotment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The risk of women leaving the labor force and reducing work hours in order to assume caretaking responsibilities amounts to tens of billions of dollars per year in lost wages and economic activity,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;For a healthy, equitable economy, women, particularly those in underserved communities, need access to resources like \u0026lsquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rsquo; so they can continue to be strong financial contributors while also caring for their loved ones.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or to register for the event, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\"\u003ewww.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003chr size=\"1\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":420,"title":"Birds of a Feather","promo_title":"Aviary Beauty + Wellness Opens Second Location After Receiving Invest Atlanta Business Improvement Grant","published_date":"2021-09-17","featured_image":{"id":1689,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"286.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1563837,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-17T11:44:19.274-04:00","caption":"aviary","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-17T11:44:19.456-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-17T15:02:59.083-04:00","filename_hash":"286_zmZpnl8.jpg","width":2000,"height":1333},"filename":"birds-of-a-feather","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bg7Eww","created_at":"2021-09-17T11:47:09.214-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-17T15:02:59.061-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Aviary Beauty + Wellness has been a direct reflection of the freedom Amy embraced to become an entrepreneur and how she operates her growing business. In the process of creating a space for her professional philosophy, Amy also established the gold standard for stylists, estheticians and artists longing to break from the mold.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmy Bransford was struggling to find a name for her new business, which was about to open in a loft development on Auburn Avenue back in 2009. \u0026ldquo;As I was sitting in the courtyard at Studioplex, a bird flew by,\u0026rdquo; remembers Amy. \u0026ldquo;It felt as though I was in an aviary.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a lightbulb moment for the young esthetician who had grown frustrated in an industry\u0026rsquo;s one-size-fits-all approach to skin care and made the bold decision to branch out on her own. \u0026ldquo;There wasn\u0026rsquo;t a salon or spa space where I felt I fit in or could identify with,\u0026rdquo; she explains. \u0026ldquo;I had to create it for myself and, later, for my employees.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEver since, Aviary Beauty + Wellness has been a direct reflection of the freedom Amy embraced to become an entrepreneur and how she operates her growing business. In the process of creating a space for her professional philosophy, Amy also established the gold standard for stylists, estheticians and artists longing to break from the mold.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFocused on skin care and hair services, Aviary operates as a collective of like-minded professionals who share Amy\u0026rsquo;s belief that beauty is not skin deep; that the way we look and feel is deeply and directly influenced by the lives we lead.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The two go very well together as our clients often seek expertise in both areas,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I have a collective of employees and independents and, through the years, I have personally evolved into a mentor and people grower. I love how my flock works together.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAviary is a highly personalized, boutique studio. There are two treatment rooms and a handful of styling stations where beauty and wellness professionals create a peaceful environment using handpicked products to deliver customizable treatments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmy had considered expanding her business before the pandemic, but set the idea aside during the uncertainty of the times. She applied for, and received, an Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant, which helped her pivot to accommodate new COVID protocols and begin delivering products to her clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt soon became clear people were seeking self-care more than ever before. One day while walking with her husband in the Summerhill community, Amy had another lightbulb moment \u0026ndash; this time it was the very spot for Aviary\u0026rsquo;s second location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love Summerhill\u0026rsquo;s storefronts and history,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;The neighborhood has been there since 1865 and was home to the first emancipated slaves and later immigrants. The residents at that time were among the city\u0026rsquo;s first minority business owners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore she could expand, Amy immersed herself in the Small Business Development Center in Dekalb County (SBDC) where she created a business plan, accessed her financials and re-evaluated her operational practices. She also applied for an Invest Atlanta Business Improvement Loan to help with operating expenses and inventory.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The funds allow me to keep inventory on the shelves and maintain a profitable business during those first few months,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ve been amazed by the support from Invest Atlanta and can\u0026rsquo;t believe I owned a business for a decade without knowing about their services.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrue to her independent spirit, Amy tapped local artists and contractors to build a unique space for her Summerhill location, which features a mural and custom millwork. \u0026ldquo;I love that I was able to create jobs at a granular level during a tough economic time,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I have 20 employees between both locations and my build-out radiated even further to include designers, electricians, painters and plumbers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Working with Invest Atlanta has been so fulfilling,\u0026rdquo; continues Amy. \u0026ldquo;I realized people truly believe small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. At every turn, I had cheerleaders to champion my business and dreams of growing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLearn more about Aviary Beauty + Wellness:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.aviarybeauty.com/\"\u003ehttps://www.aviarybeauty.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":419,"title":"Reimagine Opportunity Cohort Announces Participants","promo_title":"Digital Accelerator Helps Lift Up Small Businesses","published_date":"2021-08-25","featured_image":{"id":1676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1134327,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.096-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.169-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.347-04:00","filename_hash":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-_ymKKZMn.png","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"reimagine-opportunity-cohort-announces-participants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hh8jvQ","created_at":"2021-08-26T11:48:45.804-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.322-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is helping small businesses rise, recover and soar following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through the 2021 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;no-cost, 12-week program for Atlanta small business owners\u0026nbsp;is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, with curriculum provided by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).\u0026nbsp;Program topics include\u0026nbsp;managing\u0026nbsp;financial\u0026nbsp;statements,\u0026nbsp;utilizing\u0026nbsp;artificial\u0026nbsp;intelligence,\u0026nbsp;e-commerce,\u0026nbsp;managing a\u0026nbsp;remote\u0026nbsp;team,\u0026nbsp;raising\u0026nbsp;capital,\u0026nbsp;marketing, and\u0026nbsp;branding,\u0026nbsp;legal,\u0026nbsp;SEO\u0026nbsp;optimization,\u0026nbsp;cyber\u0026nbsp;security and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses\u0026nbsp;are asking for\u0026nbsp;deep-dive\u0026nbsp;technical assistance,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Dr.\u0026nbsp;Eloisa\u0026nbsp;Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president, and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is a comprehensive way to help\u0026nbsp;fortify\u0026nbsp;our businesses\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;key to\u0026nbsp;our\u0026nbsp;economic\u0026nbsp;mobility strategy.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eParticipating\u0026nbsp;small businesses include:​\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAlicia Gibbons \u0026ndash; Fruity Ice and Treats\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngela Ashley \u0026ndash; Angelic\u0026rsquo;s Gourmet\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngelic Keels \u0026ndash; Zeal Consultants\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eChantel Henry \u0026ndash; Our Legacy Project\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDawn Johnson \u0026ndash; DCJ Consulting\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDeandrea Byrd \u0026ndash; Tutu Maniac\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eKhadija Head \u0026ndash; Heads Plumbing\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eLatasha Thym \u0026ndash; Restoration Hero\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eMarion Hargett \u0026ndash; Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Wings\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSheyil Rena Taylor \u0026ndash; Administrative Professional Services\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSonya Gilkey \u0026ndash; Wrapaloc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTariq Abdullah \u0026ndash; Tarchitects\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTess Vismale \u0026ndash; iSocial Execution\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":416,"title":"Carbice Corporation Continues to Grow","promo_title":"With funding from AEMI, Carbice Corporation is continuing to grow","published_date":"2021-08-19","featured_image":{"id":1672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_4744-scaled.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":604179,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:14.826-04:00","caption":"carbice","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:15.189-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.906-04:00","filename_hash":"img_4744-scaled_jpjzDRW.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707},"filename":"carbice-corporation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"df3saw","created_at":"2021-08-19T16:38:00.323-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.887-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCarbice Corporation\u0026rsquo;s aim is to redefine the thermal material market, and Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, is investing $1 million to help the company get one step closer to that goal. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta start-up, founded by heat transfer expert and Georgia Tech professor Baratunde Cola, has developed Carbice\u0026reg; Carbon\u0026mdash;a thermal management material that cools devices, so they don\u0026rsquo;t overheat. Carbice Carbon can be found inside electronics, ranging from smart phones to satellites, and the product has even been tested on the International Space Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s funding will support Carbice\u0026rsquo;s purchase of a critical piece of equipment for its newly leased laboratory and manufacturing hub, a new 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the city of Atlanta. The new equipment and facility will allow the organization to serve a larger customer base, retain and increase its local talent, and become an influential local employer and technology company in Atlanta. The corporation currently has 14 employees and plans to increase this number by severalfold by 2024 by tapping into WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s pipeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We are so excited to team with Atlanta Emerging Markets and Invest Atlanta to support our mission of helping our customers, stakeholders, and community achieve more with confidence,\u0026rdquo; said Baratunde Cola, Carbice founder and CEO. \u0026ldquo;Carbice enables the future of electronics, and through this work, we achieve our mission.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn active participant in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Students2Startup program, Carbice also plans to partner with local universities and state colleges to create a nanomaterial manufacturing training program to help pre-qualify people for jobs at Carbice with higher pay.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s investment in Carbice aligns with its mission to increase the access to capital for entrepreneurs, that are creating accessible jobs and social impact in historically disinvested neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on AEMI, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003ehttps://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on the Carbice Corporation, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://carbice.com/\"\u003ehttps://carbice.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":413,"title":"(Tech) Tip Off Pitch Competition Awards $60,000 to Women Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Grants Awarded to Fuel Women Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1658,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3132697,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:13.034-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:14.019-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.615-04:00","filename_hash":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-_gv2oK2Z.jpg","width":5797,"height":4160},"filename":"tech-tip-off-awards-2021","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"D9lDXw","created_at":"2021-07-23T12:19:14.929-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.569-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Local healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eLocal healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe competition, powered by the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) and the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, was created to help Atlanta women entrepreneurs raise their profiles, earn grants to support their business dreams, and learn from tech companies across the city. Competing entrepreneurs were evaluated by a panel of judges representing Atlanta business and community leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just the workshops that make the WEI program so impactful; it\u0026rsquo;s the wrap around services, the network of women and\u0026nbsp;the opportunity to actually apply what you learn to your business,\u0026rdquo; said Stokes. \u0026ldquo;This experience is a milestone for me, because today I\u0026rsquo;m comfortable pitching my business and one year ago, I was not.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe (Tech) Tip Off grants were awarded in two categories: the first for current WEI Cohort members participating in the competition, and the second for other Atlanta-based entrepreneurs. First place winners in both categories received a $15,000 grant; second place winners received a $10,000 grant; and third place winners received a $5,000 grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;As an organization, we are always looking for ways to elevate women entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business incubator for early stage, women-owned businesses. \u0026ldquo;Developing these workshops and the pitch competition offered a way to help our key audiences launch and grow a successful start-up by leveraging technology.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAs part of this effort, Atlanta Hawks Foundation donated $100,000 from the proceeds of the sales of its historic 2020-21 MLK Nike City Edition Jersey to WEI to fund business workshops, the pitch competition, and grants for metro area women entrepreneurs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Hawks understand how vitally important it is to not only provide funding, but the exposure to the right contacts and the right technology in helping new businesses be set up for success,\u0026rdquo; said David Lee, executive vice president of External Affairs for the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of the Hawks Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Our foundation is proud to support the work of WEI and play a part in launching a new crop of female-led businesses in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAward winners:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{182}\" paraid=\"36386340\"\u003eAtlanta-Based Entrepreneur Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place: Claudine Miles of Restore More building capacity through restorative practice, anti-racism, and social emotional learning for students, educators, and parents.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Tia Robinson of Vertical Activewear supporting inner and outer well-being through sustainable and size-inclusive activewear for yoga, dance, and meditation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place: Elissa Russell of READI Consulting providing a tech-enabled workforce readiness solution to upskill and reskill entry level workers.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003eWEI Cohort Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes of\u0026nbsp;WUNDERgrubs\u0026nbsp;producing high-quality insect protein using the Internet of Things (IoT) to disrupt the supply chain and cultivating sustainable farming practices that help restore natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, improve nutrition, and promote food security.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Sarah Marske of\u0026nbsp;Saramar\u0026nbsp;Group connecting brands to the U.S. Hispanic market through purpose-driven marketing solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;Evana\u0026nbsp;and Zoe Oli of Beautiful Curly Me teaching young girls the importance of hair care, while fostering self-confidence and love through dolls and accessories.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003eWEI is the only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation that is focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. The program was launched by the City of Atlanta in 2015 to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development programs. WEI is part of Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, and furthers the goal of creating equity and prosperity for all of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":415,"title":"WorkSource Atlanta Appoints New Executive Director","promo_title":"WorkSource Atlanta Appoints New Executive Director","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1646,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"amy-s_headshot_edited.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":52011,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-09T14:22:06.479-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-07-09T14:22:06.507-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T15:20:06.348-04:00","filename_hash":"amy-s_headshot_edited_JjKrnJ4.jpg","width":266,"height":400},"filename":"worksource-atlanta-appoints-new-executive-director","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dvX53A","created_at":"2021-07-23T15:19:26.210-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T15:20:06.325-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eAmy Lancaster-King has taken the helm as executive director of WorkSource Atlanta at the same time the agency finalizes its integration into Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eAmy Lancaster-King has taken the helm as executive director of WorkSource Atlanta at the same time the agency finalizes its integration into Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce development agency. It partners with federal, state and local governments, as well as colleges, schools and community and faith-based organizations, to deliver workforce development services to job seekers and employers looking for skilled talent. Lancaster-King will focus on improving the delivery of these services while also expanding WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s capabilities under the direction of Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Greater access to training and sustainable employment is vital for an equitable future,\u0026rdquo; said Lancaster-King. \u0026ldquo;I am honored to have the opportunity to lead\u0026nbsp;WorkSource\u0026nbsp;Atlanta forward at this important time as the city continues to address economic mobility challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe strategy to integrate WorkSource Atlanta into Invest Atlanta is a cornerstone of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms\u0026rsquo; One Atlanta: Economic Mobility, Recovery and Resiliency Plan, which was designed to help more Atlantans build wealth through good, middle-income jobs and better serve the hiring needs to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s employers.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Job seekers in Atlanta, especially those from underserved communities, deserve access to skill-building resources that lead to good job opportunities in sustainable career fields,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Combining WorkSource Atlanta with Invest Atlanta furthers this goal by leveraging the strengths of both organizations to create a unified workforce development strategy for the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPrior to this role, Lancaster-King served as senior director of Workforce Development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber where she led a range of efforts, including authoring, mediating and lobbying to advance thoughtful and fair workforce policies at the state Capitol; directing and evangelizing key research on the supply and demand of talent; and building community partnerships to increase student, jobseeker and employer outcomes.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":411,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Small Business Dashboard ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Small Business Dashboard ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1633,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"small_business_dashboard.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":516233,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:44:52.005-04:00","caption":"Small Business Dashboard","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:44:52.063-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:34.114-04:00","filename_hash":"small_business_dashboard_2avXRkr.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-small-business-dashboard","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"S0hVMw","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:12.271-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:34.039-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003eEverything you need to know about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business activity is now at your fingertips.\u0026nbsp;Working\u0026nbsp;in conjunction with\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Regional Commission,\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta has\u0026nbsp;developed\u0026nbsp;a new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/arcresearchanalytics/viz/ATL20-21SmallBusinessTracker/FSector\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSmall Business Dashboard\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to publicly share and explore data visualizations\u0026nbsp;showing\u0026nbsp;where investment is taking place,\u0026nbsp;jobs are increasing\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;other trends.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;interactive\u0026nbsp;dashboard\u0026nbsp;provides a snapshot of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business activity\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;allows users to\u0026nbsp;search various data models, including industry sector,\u0026nbsp;North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;business\u0026nbsp;size.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Small Business Platform is yet another tool that allows\u0026nbsp;us to better support\u0026nbsp;Atlanta\u0026nbsp;small businesses, which lift up our communities\u0026nbsp;and drive our economy,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Dr. Eloisa Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;By capturing and leveraging these data\u0026nbsp;visualizations,\u0026nbsp;we can\u0026nbsp;follow trends\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;pinpoint opportunities for new programs\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;identify areas where investment is needed.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":412,"title":"Irish Fintech Joins Atlanta Business Community ","promo_title":"Irish Fintech Joins Atlanta Business Community ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1634,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wayflyer.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":68057,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:49:34.360-04:00","caption":"Wayflyer","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:49:34.402-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:55.116-04:00","filename_hash":"wayflyer_V1BPWWe.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"irish-fintech-joins-atlanta-business-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7J0u2g","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:51:02.646-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:55.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eWayflyer\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; the revenue-based financing and growth platform for eCommerce merchants \u0026ndash; is expanding to the United States. The rapidly growing Irish startup is opening an office in Atlanta, citing the city\u0026rsquo;s extensive fintech community and growth opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003eThe move comes on the back of\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;recent $76 million all-\u0026nbsp;equity Series A raise and partnership with\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.wayflyer.com/news/wayflyer-and-adobe-announce-merchant-finance-solution-to-propel-ecommerce-industry\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAdobe Commerce\u003c/a\u003e. Currently, 75 percent\u0026nbsp;of Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s customer base operates in the U.S., and funds from the Series A round will be used for on-the-ground U.S. expansion.\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta investment is expected to create more than 50 new sales jobs by the end of 2021 in addition to positions in customer support, marketing and underwriting.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003eAccording to\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer U.S. Director of Sales\u0026nbsp;Jay Puentes,\u0026nbsp;despite\u0026nbsp;double-digit growth year over year\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the eCommerce industry, eCommerce companies continue to have working capital challenges, which limit\u0026nbsp;opportunities for growth. \u0026ldquo;Wayflyer is uniquely positioned to solve these issues and help eCommerce entrepreneurs unlock their potential,\u0026rdquo; Puentes said. \u0026ldquo;In the past three weeks alone, the Wayflyer U.S. team has doubled from 7 to 15, and I look forward to leveraging the extensive local network I\u0026#39;ve built over the last decade to oversee expansion in the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":405,"title":"FanDuel to Open Atlanta Office ","promo_title":"FanDuel to Open Atlanta Office ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1603,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"fanduel_-_i_i.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":30906,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:17.879-04:00","caption":"Fanduel3","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:17.927-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:34.349-04:00","filename_hash":"fanduel_-_i_i_W1N8p42.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"fanduel-to-open-atlanta-office","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"InzPEQ","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:09:41.221-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:34.327-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Leading sports-tech entertainment company\u0026nbsp;FanDuel Group\u0026nbsp;is investing\u0026nbsp;more than $15 million\u0026nbsp;to open\u0026nbsp;a campus in Atlanta\u0026nbsp;that is expected to create\u0026nbsp;more than 900 jobs over the next five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLeading sports-tech entertainment company\u0026nbsp;FanDuel Group\u0026nbsp;is investing\u0026nbsp;more than $15 million\u0026nbsp;to open\u0026nbsp;a campus in Atlanta\u0026nbsp;that is expected to create\u0026nbsp;more than 900 jobs over the next five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility will be located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Midtown area and will primarily focus on supporting the company\u0026rsquo;s product development, tech and IT operations. Not only will the center expand Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s digital media and e-entertainment sectors, it will also provide new job opportunities in software engineering, product development, information technology (IT), user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta continues to attract companies across many different industries looking to join our welcoming business community, that includes a highly skilled and diverse workforce,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFanDuel will support educational training programs that include Georgia\u0026rsquo;s university system, the state\u0026rsquo;s private colleges, its renowned Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other non-collegiate programs. The company plans to work closely with these institutions to create curriculums that train and educate candidates for future careers in the tech industry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis effort\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;involve\u0026nbsp;an active company presence on campuses, onsite events, career fairs and networking events.\u0026nbsp;What\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;more,\u0026nbsp;FanDuel\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;establishing local community partnerships\u0026nbsp;with organizations across Atlanta to provide resume-building workshops, mock interview sessions, case studies and mentorship programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we grow our business in a very competitive industry, it\u0026rsquo;s critical we have access to a diverse talent pool needed to build the most innovative platform in the sector,\u0026rdquo; said Sarah\u0026nbsp;Butterfass, Chief Product Officer, FanDuel Group. \u0026ldquo;During this process, it became clear that Atlanta provided FanDuel with a winning combination of access to a thriving tech cluster, respected educational institutions we could partner with and a diverse and welcoming community eager for our arrival.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":406,"title":"Overtime Elite Makes Atlanta Home ","promo_title":"Overtime Elite Makes Atlanta Home ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1600,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ote_-_fbli.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1102156,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:11:28.421-04:00","caption":"Overtime Elite","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-05-25T22:11:28.569-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:30.411-04:00","filename_hash":"ote_-_fbli_5EynRPJ.png","width":940,"height":788},"filename":"overtime-elite-makes-atlanta-home","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wD7Rwg","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:06.653-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:30.372-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Transformative new sports league\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite\u0026nbsp;(OTE) has\u0026nbsp;selected Atlanta as its home\u0026nbsp;after a year-long search\u0026nbsp;that included\u0026nbsp;eight\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u0026nbsp;cities.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTransformative new sports league\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite\u0026nbsp;(OTE) has\u0026nbsp;selected Atlanta as its home\u0026nbsp;after a year-long search\u0026nbsp;that included\u0026nbsp;eight\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u0026nbsp;cities.\u0026nbsp;OTE, which offers the world\u0026rsquo;s most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes,\u0026nbsp;will begin\u0026nbsp;playing in Atlanta this September.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePlanning is underway on the construction of a new 103,000-square-foot facility\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;Atlantic Station, where OTE\u0026rsquo;s players will train,\u0026nbsp;study\u0026nbsp;and compete. This project will create up to 400 construction jobs in metro Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;at least 30% of which will be diverse hires.\u0026nbsp;To maximize efficiency and reduce waste, the structure will be built using recycled and reused components, with an energy-efficient HVAC system and green-compliant LED lighting system and outer covering. The facility will be completed in time for the league\u0026rsquo;s September debut.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOTE\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;is committed to building an inclusive,\u0026nbsp;diverse\u0026nbsp;and equitable workforce, with a focus on hiring among communities of color and employing people who live within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s city limits.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;is actively recruiting and hiring more than 100 people in the city\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;basketball, educator, residential, food service and support staff.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If we could construct a city that would be the perfect home for Overtime Elite, it would look just like Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Aaron Ryan,\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite Commissioner and President. \u0026ldquo;The city\u0026rsquo;s storied basketball history, diverse population, vibrant business community and rich culture make Atlanta a special place. OTE is committed to being an active contributor to the community.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOTE\u0026nbsp;provides a comprehensive accelerator for elite players\u0026rsquo; professional careers, preparing them for the next level in a way not possible in an ordinary high school environment. The league offers a year-round development program,\u0026nbsp;combining world-class coaching, cutting-edge sports science and performance technologies, top-notch facilities and a rigorous, highly personalized academic program that energizes and enhances each athlete\u0026rsquo;s journey from proficiency to pro.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith\u0026nbsp;longstanding personal and professional relationships within the Atlanta Hawks organization, OTE has\u0026nbsp;a deep respect for the team\u0026rsquo;s long history in the city and the role they have played to\u0026nbsp;create positive change in the community. Similarly, OTE has been inspired by\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Dream\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;the impact its players have had using their voice to increase voter participation in the 2020 election.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Overtime Elite is a welcome addition to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s rich sports tradition, elevating the city as a global center for basketball development and a cultural hub for people of all backgrounds,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Hawks player and Overtime investor Trae Young.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":407,"title":"WorkSource Atlanta Offers COVID-Relief Job Opportunities ","promo_title":"WorkSource Atlanta Offers COVID-Relief Job Opportunities ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":null,"filename":"worksource-atlanta-offers-covid-relief-job-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fjCxcw","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:18:02.379-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T11:51:20.931-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is offering job opportunities through Project\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;(Employment \u0026ndash; Networking \u0026ndash; COVID Relief) to\u0026nbsp;city of Atlanta residents or workers employed within the\u0026nbsp;city who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is offering job opportunities through Project\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;(Employment \u0026ndash; Networking \u0026ndash; COVID Relief) to\u0026nbsp;city of Atlanta residents or workers employed within the\u0026nbsp;city who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProject\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;offers an hourly wage up to 40 hours per week\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;up to 16 weeks and includes various COVID-related job positions such as call center agents, contact tracers, PPE inventory specialists, workplace sanitation specialists, custodians, and temperature screener/social distance monitors. No experience is necessary for most positions and\u0026nbsp;pay\u0026nbsp;ranges\u0026nbsp;from $12.00\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;$23.00 an hour.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The paid work experience is designed to help job seekers earn an income while learning a new skill,\u0026rdquo; said Sonia Wilson-Westmoreland, Interim Executive Director, WorkSource Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In some cases, these temporary positions may lead to permanent job placement.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose who are interested can learn more by \u003ca href=\"https://bit.ly/3c7Q0iX\"\u003eattending an orientation\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003eor calling a WorkSource Atlanta navigator at 404-546-3000.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":394,"title":"National League of Cities Recognizes Atlanta’s COVID Relief Programs","promo_title":"National League of Cities Recognizes Atlanta’s COVID Relief Programs","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1497,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"diversity_awards_logo.png.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1414356,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T14:54:17.146-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T14:54:17.404-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T16:20:02.304-04:00","filename_hash":"diversity_awards_logo.png_xDQaong.png","width":2401,"height":711},"filename":"national-league-of-cities-recognizes-atlantas-covid-relief-programs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gsXwZg","created_at":"2021-03-24T14:55:34.858-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T16:20:02.253-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The National League of Cities (NLC) has selected Atlanta as a recipient of its 2021 Cultural Diversity Awards in recognition of the City\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Strength in Beauty Grant Fund and creATL Relief Fund COVID-19 programs. The NLC awards, which celebrate programs that support the arts, community building and Black history, were presented at the organization\u0026rsquo;s virtual Congressional City Conference in March.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-33673052-7fff-edc9-1813-7407e7723f4e\"\u003eThe National League of Cities (NLC) has selected Atlanta as a recipient of its 2021 Cultural Diversity Awards in recognition of the City\u0026rsquo;s \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund and creATL Relief Fund COVID-19 programs. The NLC awards, which celebrate programs that support the arts, community building and Black history, were presented at the organization\u0026rsquo;s virtual Congressional City Conference in March.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-33673052-7fff-edc9-1813-7407e7723f4e\"\u003eWorking with City leadership in the early phases of the pandemic, Invest Atlanta quickly implemented and administered several pandemic relief programs to support Atlanta businesses. The \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund provided cosmetology professionals with $1,000 grants to help offset lost income due to business closures. And, the creATL Relief Fund provided financial relief to independent creatives through $1,000 grants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the economic challenges of COVID-19 have impacted women and minority communities harder than other groups. \u0026ldquo;These programs represent our commitment to equity, supporting businesses and professionals with strong minority representation through the pandemic and beyond,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn total, the \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund supported 74 cosmetology professionals with 87% of awardees being minorities while the creATL Relief Fund was awarded to 94 creatives with 76% of recipients being minorities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe City of Atlanta was one of only four communities selected for the 2021 awards.\u0026nbsp; Submissions for the awards were grouped by size and evaluated for creativity, community impact and program scope. The City of Atlanta was awarded the top prize in the \u0026ldquo;Population of 500,0001 and Above\u0026rdquo; category.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo learn more about NLC Cultural Diversity Award winners, visit www.nlc.org.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":397,"title":"Corner Renovation Planned for Auburn Avenue","promo_title":"Corner Renovation Planned for Auburn Avenue","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1499,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.28.42_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2975588,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:29:21.502-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T15:29:21.605-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.404-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.28.42_pm_8mz1VWx.png","width":2260,"height":952},"filename":"corner-renovation-planned-for-auburn-avenue","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dZehew","created_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.289-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.289-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A visible corner in the Historic Sweet Auburn District will soon be transformed into a neighborhood restaurant with help from an Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Downtown Façade Improvement Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72a64c9a-7fff-c73a-b649-93ee839931c5\"\u003eA visible corner in the Historic Sweet Auburn District will soon be transformed into a neighborhood restaurant with help from an Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Downtown Façade Improvement Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally built in 1949 as Muckle\u0026rsquo;s Grill, the historic property located at 302 Auburn Avenue will be completely refurbished into a neighborhood eatery. The $200,000 grant will fund comprehensive renovations, including everything from restoring the existing building elevations and adding covered patio seating to installing new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as roofing, windows and landscaping.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis project not only helps to preserve Sweet Auburn\u0026rsquo;s cultural legacy, it also produces an amenity for the community with direct access to public transportation and the Atlanta Streetcar route.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":393,"title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","promo_title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":73,"parent_id":9,"resource_file_name":"wei_2x.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":56680,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.209-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.275-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.809-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_2x_8my2wma.png","width":342,"height":198},"filename":"new-grant-helps-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-expand-mission","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AYcH8A","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-7ebfbf1f-7fff-fc17-e478-8dc28232ee61\"\u003eThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI has an active programming curriculum that includes Business Analysis, Learning \u0026amp; Leadership Development, Strategic Partnerships and Funding Opportunities \u0026ndash; all of which focus on startup workshops and webinars to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial pipeline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI will receive the grant funds via Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), which will serve as its fiscal partner. ACE is a nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development resources to help its borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses which generate jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;This grant will help WEI strengthen its pipeline, which is a key goal for 2021,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Hooks, executive director for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative. \u0026ldquo;We are looking to reach more budding entrepreneurs, and with these funds, we feel we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to touch at least 200 women-owned businesses throughout the \u003c/span\u003ecity of Atlanta and at least 120 minority-owned women businesses through workshops and webinars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe LISC grant will not only help develop potential entrepreneurs so they can participate in incubator programs, like WEI, and/or accelerator programs within the city of Atlanta, it also will provide no-cost support for those in need of access to information, technical resources and one-on-one engagement.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI was launched in 2015 with support from the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta as the first, city-funded incubator to foster growth and sustainability for emerging women-owned businesses through programming, facilities, technology and other shared resources.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntrepreneurs are competitively selected for a rigorous 15-month incubator program, during which the WEI entrepreneurs have access to practical business, education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business support services, including co-location at the new WEI incubator space in the Flatiron Building.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the city of Atlanta, and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":386,"title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","promo_title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","published_date":"2021-01-26","featured_image":{"id":1475,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-13-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":540610,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.812-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.923-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.654-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-13-_ymPpBjD.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"bohica-development-to-further-redevelopment-of-the-eastside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lsyZ3g","created_at":"2021-01-26T10:11:19.525-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.630-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eA new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeveloper Bohica II, LLC will restore and expand the space to accommodate two potential restaurant concepts. The renovation will increase the space from 1,250 square feet to approximately 4,300 square feet, which includes the addition of a second story with a separate entrance. The renovation also will offer upgraded parking, a large street-side patio with a fireplace element, landscaping and new fencing. The ground floor will include an all-weather enclosed patio, and an upper-level deck will overlook the Atlanta skyline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eThis project provides for economic development and historic preservation within the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District \u0026ndash; two key goals for the Eastside TAD.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":384,"title":"First Step Staffing: Celebrating Life \u0026 Continuing a Legacy with the Support of AEMI","promo_title":"First Step Staffing: Celebrating Life \u0026 Continuing a Legacy with the Support of AEMI","published_date":"2021-01-21","featured_image":{"id":1473,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-10-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":711341,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-21T16:10:45.552-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-21T16:10:45.613-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T09:28:58.143-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-10-_NnDxOPD.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"first-step-staffing-celebrating-life-continuing-a-legacy-with-the-support-of-aemi","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Dtj6YQ","created_at":"2021-01-21T16:11:29.488-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T09:28:58.111-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A recent study by the Atlanta Continuum of Care found that nearly 3,200 people experience homelessness in the city of Atlanta, but for the nonprofit workforce organization First Step Staffing, it\u0026rsquo;s more than transitioning people out of homelessness; it\u0026rsquo;s about placing them into permanent, reliable pathways to economic prosperity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e8d773ce-7fff-3370-5ddd-584778392718\"\u003eA recent study by the Atlanta Continuum of Care found that nearly 3,200 people experience homelessness in the city of Atlanta, but for the nonprofit workforce organization First Step Staffing, it\u0026rsquo;s more than transitioning people out of homelessness; it\u0026rsquo;s about placing them into permanent, reliable pathways to economic prosperity.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in 2007, First Step Staffing currently places approximately 1,100 (570 in Atlanta) homeless men and women, including veterans and those with criminal backgrounds, in contract job assignments at customer locations daily. Through partnering with organizations like United Way, Goodwill, and MUST Ministries, the agency is able to source workers and transition them into permanent members of the workforce.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Step Staffing received a $2.8 million loan from Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI)\u0026rsquo;s Advantage Loan Fund in December 2015, which allowed the non-profit to acquire a larger for-profit staffing company and expand their services and impact. They have since\u003c/span\u003e expanded to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Nashville, Orlando and New Jersey. The organization also received a $1 million loan from AEMI in 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e8d773ce-7fff-3370-5ddd-584778392718\"\u003eGreg Block, founder and visionary of First Step Staffing, pioneered this model of purchasing for-profit staffing agencies and converting them to nonprofits under the First Step Staffing umbrella. Block, 54, passed away on August 14, 2020 due to cancer. Atlanta City Council proclaimed October 16 as \u0026ldquo;Greg Block Day\u0026rdquo; to commemorate the Atlanta leader. Amelia Nickerson assumed the role of CEO earlier this year.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;First Step sees income as a critical component on the path out of homelessness,\u0026rdquo; said Amelia Nickerson, CEO of First Step Staffing. \u0026ldquo;Greg believed that those experiencing homelessness were not hopeless, but rather heroes who just needed a hand up to succeed. We are grateful for partnerships with groups like AEMI which have helped First Step become the largest nonprofit staffing agency in the country.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe staffing agency currently employs over 3,500 clients in Atlanta and over 8,000 clients across all six locations annually, with intentions of growing to 4,000 and 12,000 employed respectively over the next few years.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026quot;Greg\u0026rsquo;s everlasting leadership and impact both locally and nationally reinforced the importance of investing in agencies like First Step Staffing,\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, President of AEMI. \u0026ldquo;Their unique model and approach to combating homelessness and encouraging economic mobility aligns with AEMI\u0026rsquo;s guiding principles. We are honored to support Greg\u0026rsquo;s vision in serving others and lifting up others in our community.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn addition to providing career opportunities, First Step Staffing also offers coaching, transportation, housing placement, uniforms, mental health referrals, financial literacy, connection to training programs. Their \u0026ldquo;Second Step\u0026rdquo; program currently includes digital literacy, basic literacy, construction training, CDL and forklift certifications\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u0026rsquo;s corporate headquarters is located at 236 Auburn Avenue.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":377,"title":"In Bloom ","promo_title":"In Bloom","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1464,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-2-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1014747,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:53:47.983-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:53:48.047-05:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:56:36.871-04:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-2-_E63emxV.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"in-bloom","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TBc8IA","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:55:37.097-05:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:56:36.845-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As the daughter of a farmer, Cindy Tarrant grew up planting flowers on her own little plot of land. The seeds she tended as a child eventually became her life\u0026rsquo;s work, which is in full bloom at French Market Flowers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eAs the daughter of a farmer, Cindy Tarrant grew up planting flowers on her own little plot of land. The seeds she tended as a child eventually became her life\u0026rsquo;s work, which is in full bloom at French Market Flowers.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eCindy now grows flowers on her own farm in Coweta County, where she lives with her family, two cats, a Pyrenees-Australian shepherd dog, seven sweet hens and one ornery rooster. \u0026ldquo;We are members of the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://slowflowers.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eslow flower movement\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and believe that organic, sustainable, locally grown flowers are the best for our business, community and environment,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy. \u0026ldquo;We supply these flowers whenever possible.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFrench Market Flowers opened its doors six years ago at Krog Street Market and eventually moved to Garrett Street in Grant Park. Cindy offers everything from floral design for weddings, funerals and special events to weekly corporate and residential flower delivery, floral restaurant installations and container gardening.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWith weddings and special events on hold due to COVID-19, Cindy estimates that she\u0026rsquo;s lost\u0026nbsp;nearly\u0026nbsp;40% of her business, and she had to close her storefront. But she was able to shift her operations to become primarily delivery-based, which has presented a new set of challenges for her small business.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We quickly realized that we didn\u0026rsquo;t have enough cooler space to store the flowers or a proper vehicle to deliver them,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy, who applied for an Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant to help offset the costs of a new walk-in cooler and delivery van. She also qualified for the Resurgence Technical Assistance Program and opted for a social media advertising campaign from\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eTrevelino\u0026nbsp;Keller Group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;This assistance was incredibly helpful and meaningful,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy. \u0026ldquo;Not only could we present ourselves in a more professional manner, it\u0026nbsp;also increased our delivery business and allowed us to keep all of our employees.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;This business has a lot of heart, and we\u0026rsquo;ve worked so hard over the past six years to stay afloat,\u0026rdquo; adds Cindy. \u0026ldquo;It means so much to know that people care about small, local businesses. We are grateful for the support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":375,"title":"The Beat Goes On ","promo_title":"The Beat Goes On ","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1461,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1237462,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:32:32.054-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:32:32.691-05:00","updated_at":"2023-04-12T14:56:00.294-04:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_DNqezr1.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"the-beat-goes-on","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KHZLSw","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:33:34.460-05:00","updated_at":"2023-04-12T14:56:00.137-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jaleesa Ledbetter was literally and figuratively on top of the world when everything began to shut down as a result of COVID-19. The event manager, producer and DJ, known as Hourglass, was performing at a ski resort on a Swiss mountaintop, with upcoming gigs in Berlin, London and Paris.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa Ledbetter was literally and figuratively on top of the world when everything began to shut down as a result of COVID-19. The event manager, producer and DJ, known as Hourglass, was performing at a ski resort on a Swiss mountaintop, with upcoming gigs in Berlin, London and Paris.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;I was breaking ground and thought 2020 was the year I was going to take my career to the next level,\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe had plans to show Atlanta to the world.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa, who was an accountant in a previous life, has a motto to\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;Think outside the clock.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;It\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es a mantra that inspired her to pursue music full time and never be complacent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe have no idea how much time we have,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eThe idea of an hourglass represents how I want to live my life.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa describes herself as\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;unapologetically black, queer and uninterested in following the norms,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and her music and audiences reflect that. Her confident self-identity and strong work ethic pumps in the form of future beats,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eAfrobeats, Latin, hip-hop,\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eop 40\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and everything in between, and\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eshe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eearned her props as the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eMost Lit DJ in 2020\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;by Butter ATL.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eBut as Jaleesa will attest, even successful DJs aren\u0026#39;t immune to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI was scared because all of my income is tied to music and events,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI was overwhelmed and didn\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et know what the future would hold and where I fit in.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eA fellow DJ told Jaleesa about the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecreATL\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eRelief\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFund that supports Atlanta\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es independent creative workers affected by the pandemic and encouraged her to apply.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;This fund helped me see th\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ee light at the end of the tunnel,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa. It also gave her\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ethe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003efreedom to invest in her digital presence \u0026ndash; a space that will not only sustain her financially but also allow her to share happiness during these dark, uncertain times.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;There\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es so much death and sadness and tragedy,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI want to make people feel good through music.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":376,"title":"Committed to the Fight ","promo_title":"Committed to the Fight ","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1463,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":315038,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:43:18.294-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:43:18.344-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:13:20.695-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-1-_azpeLke.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"committed-to-the-fight","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UAFe-w","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:41:52.308-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:13:20.662-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eKara Jacobson has been dancing since she was 2 years old. Trained in classical ballet, the Atlanta native attended the esteemed Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at\u0026nbsp;Pebblebrook\u0026nbsp;High School and studied in New York City. She has been finding joy in dance and dance education ever since.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara Jacobson has been dancing since she was 2 years old. Trained in classical ballet, the Atlanta native attended the esteemed Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ePebblebrook\u0026nbsp;High School and studied in New York City. She has been finding joy in dance and dance education ever since.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara is also trained in public health and is a faculty member of the Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health. Four years ago,\u0026nbsp;she found a way to combine her two passions, public health and dance, when she opened The Atlanta Dance Academy (TADA).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eTADA offers dance education and performance opportunities for all ages, skill levels and abilities \u0026ndash; from beginners to pre-professionals.\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;We break down the barriers that have traditionally ruled centers of dance education,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe are keenly interested in movement as a form of physical and mental therapy and are committed to providing dance and movement for those with disabilities, which is hard to find in the dance world.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara demonstrated resilience and keen focus\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eto get TADA off the ground in 2016 but soon faced a setback during the I-85 bridge collapse in 2017, which snarled traffic near the studio for months.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWith the onset of\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;COVID-19\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e, Kara faced\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;yet\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eanother setback.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eShe\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;closed her doors on March 14 and immediately began losing revenue from class tuition\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e, fees,\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eperformances, studio rental\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eincome\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eand private coaching sessions\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eAs a public health professional, Kara knows well the dangers of COVID, but she is also aware\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;how the arts and dance can provide a healthy relief for the community when stressors are high. So\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she quickly committed herself to navigating an online dance program.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe were able to pivot, but early on,\u0026nbsp;I could feel my stamina waning,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003em a one-woman show with employees, clients and rent. I have overcome barriers before in public health, such as teaching health literacy to the underserved, but the speed that I had to pivot during COVID was like warp speed. I\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eve done a half Ironman; this race felt like a full Ironman.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWhen Kara learned about the Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund, her grueling race of endurance eased. As part of the federal CARES Act, the fund provides eligible businesses with grants of up to $40,000\u0026nbsp;and a\u0026nbsp;credit of up to $10,000\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003efor\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;technical assistance to reimburse the costs associated with adapting business operations in a post-COVID environment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;I applied and was so impressed by the entire experience,\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eInvest Atlanta offered webinars to explain the application process and even set up a helpline to answer questions over the weekend. It was very clear to me that they understand the stress small business owners are going through and are committed to helping them be successful.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFor Kara, the Resurgence Grant Fund not only reduces the stress of being able to cover payroll and\u0026nbsp;other expenses,\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eit\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ealso\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ehas\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ehelped her\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003epurchase and install the technology and software upgrades necessary to implement a hybrid dance program\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;This business brings me great joy, and I want to make sure that dance continues to bring joy to the community,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;especially in these challenging times,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003em committed to making it work because I\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ed lose too much if I didn\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et \u0026ndash; physically, emotionally and financially. I want to see it through and am committed to the fight.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":373,"title":"A Much-Needed Lifeline","promo_title":"COVID-19 Relief Grant: A Much-Needed Lifeline for a Downtown Restaurant","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1453,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"eu8c4443.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1047815,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:15.189-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:15.335-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-05T14:57:28.996-05:00","filename_hash":"eu8c4443_kbBV5ZO.jpg","width":3600,"height":2400},"filename":"a-much-needed-lifeline","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H2Epow","created_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:35.197-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-05T14:57:28.970-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jose Navarro and Mat Tainow had a vision to bring a local, small-town vibe to the concrete jungle of Downtown Atlanta.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eJose Navarro and Mat Tainow had a vision to bring a local, small-town vibe to the concrete jungle of Downtown Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eIn 2003, the two friends pioneered a neighborhood bar in the Fairlie-Poplar district with their first venture, Sidebar. A few years later they opened Park Bar, just steps away from Centennial Park.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We felt like downtown was missing something back then,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;Surprisingly, we found that a lot of local residents and workers really loved their downtown and were very supportive of us opening a neighborhood bar.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eSpecializing in great burgers and known for its speciality drinks, Park Bar has since established itself as a downtown staple for Atlanta residents and visitors alike. \u0026ldquo;We like to think of ourselves as your local bar, even if you live elsewhere,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;We are a place to gather and socialize. We are the place to join others for a pre-game beverage before cheering on Atlanta United, or where to meet friends before seeing your favorite artist perform at State Farm Arena.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut 2020 put a halt to all that, throwing Park Bar a one-two punch. After being closed for a couple months because of pandemic-related restrictions, the bar was just reopening in a limited capacity when the initial days and nights of social unrest shut it down again for another week.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;We were fortunate in that we only had graffiti on a lot of the building,\u0026rdquo; says Mat. \u0026ldquo;We weren\u0026#39;t broken into and, most importantly, none of our staff was hurt.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe financial impact, however, has been profound, leading Mat and Jose to apply for both the Invest Atlanta \u003c/span\u003eResurgence Grant Fund and the City of Atlanta Recovery Fund, which provides up to $10,000 in grants to businesses that were adversely impacted during Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s demonstrations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;There was absolutely\u0026nbsp;no way we could\u0026nbsp;have afforded the expense to remove and repaint the walls affected by the graffiti,\u0026rdquo; says Mat. \u0026ldquo;With COVID decimating our business, the building would have remained scarred without the help from Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat assistance, in fact, has been a much-needed lifeline for Park Bar. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been integral to us treading water until the pandemic subsides and the big downtown events return,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been very diligent in getting out and helping the business community, and we are truly grateful for the rescue.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":365,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Two Small Business Improvement Grants ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Two Small Business Improvement Grants ","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1442,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"small_business_improvement_grants_.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1433538,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:12:59.157-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-11-24T17:12:59.237-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.035-05:00","filename_hash":"small_business_improvement_grants__vlpZDQx.png","width":1080,"height":905},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-two-small-business-improvement-grants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1PLX7w","created_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.007-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.007-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two commercial properties are each receiving up to $20,000 of improvement funds from the Hollowell/ML King Tax Allocation District (TAD) Small Business Improvement Grant.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTwo commercial properties are each receiving up to $20,000 of improvement funds from the Hollowell/ML King Tax Allocation District (TAD) Small Business Improvement Grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f7285188-7fff-8a10-824e-874116a2f717\"\u003eThe building owned by Cal Properties, located on James Jackson Parkway, is a 13,125-square-foot, multiple tenant commercial center built in 2000. The structure includes eight storefronts currently occupied by seven tenants, including a beauty supply store, salon, barbershop, convenience store, social club, natural food store and a clothing store.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grant will help complete necessary improvements such as repainting the exterior of the building and repairing the parking lot. Additional owner funds, including the required 20 percent match, will pay for security cameras around the property and landscaping.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f7285188-7fff-8a10-824e-874116a2f717\"\u003eA. Lawson Auto Center on Donald Lee Hollowell is a 2,500-square-foot auto service garage that\u0026rsquo;s been in business for more than half a century. The son and daughter of the original owners have grown the family business over the past 16 years to include Lawson\u0026rsquo;s Florist, HA Lawson Tax \u0026amp; Office Services and Lawson Auto Sales.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrant funds will be used for the removal and replacement of damaged asphalt in front of the building and additional owner funds will pay for tree stump and root systems removal on the west side of the property.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Small Business Improvement Grant in 2019 to strengthen local businesses by using tax increment for matching grants toward the improvement of commercial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;Helping our small businesses grow and thrive enhances economic development,\u0026rdquo; says Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is one of the initiatives we\u0026rsquo;re promoting in terms of economic mobility and equity and inclusion within the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":357,"title":"Relief Coming to Mechanicsville Retail Property Owner: $20,000 TAD Grant for Renovations","promo_title":"Relief Coming to Mechanicsville Retail Property Owner: $20,000 TAD Grant for Renovations","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1409,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-10-14_at_11.54.25_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1283397,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:28:55.676-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:28:55.766-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.815-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-10-14_at_11.54.25_am_vlxxLyW.png","width":2462,"height":1448},"filename":"relief-coming-to-mechanicsville-retail-property-owner-20000-tad-grant-for-renovations","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Zr2bPw","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.761-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.761-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $20,000 grant from the Stadium Tax Allocation District (TAD) will help rehabilitate a 4,280-square-foot, multiple-occupancy retail commercial property in the Mechanicsville neighborhood on Pryor Street, which was damaged by heavy rain in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $20,000 grant from the Stadium Tax Allocation District (TAD) will help rehabilitate a 4,280-square-foot, multiple-occupancy retail commercial property in the Mechanicsville neighborhood on Pryor Street, which was damaged by heavy rain in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStadium TAD funds will be used for window replacement on the property, and insurance proceeds will cover the cost of roof and gutter replacement. The owner\u0026rsquo;s required 20% contribution, plus additional owner equity, will provide funding for a full interior rehabilitation of the three units, including replacing damaged drywall, ceiling tiles and flooring.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe owner also received Annie E. Casey NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant funds to paint the building\u0026rsquo;s exterior.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re encouraged and excited about the uptick in these kinds of projects using TAD dollars to impact small businesses and small commercial redevelopment,\u0026rdquo; says Jennifer Fine, vice president of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives for Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Word of mouth is raising awareness of this program, and people are tapping into this resource.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":360,"title":"Coffee Café Bakery Production Facility to Supply Baked Goods and Jobs","promo_title":"Coffee Café Bakery Production Facility to Supply Baked Goods and Jobs","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1411,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oct_i_i_coffee.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1185195,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:03:04.355-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T14:03:04.427-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.491-04:00","filename_hash":"oct_i_i_coffee_PgllvLZ.png","width":1080,"height":720},"filename":"coffee-cafe-bakery-production-facility-to-supply-baked-goods-and-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BdntHw","created_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.461-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.461-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery, a subsidiary of a ZSC Enterprises and Chunara Food Group (CFG) partnership, is building a new, $10 million production facility in Fulton County, which will supply goods to over 150 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants across metro Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGeorgia is a national leader in the food industry, and Dunkin\u0026rsquo;-supplier Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery represents the latest addition to the Atlanta region\u0026rsquo;s robust foods industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCoffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery, a subsidiary of a ZSC Enterprises and Chunara Food Group (CFG) partnership, is building a new, $10 million production facility in Fulton County, which will supply goods to over 150 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants across metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at Browns Mill Road Southeast in one of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Federal Qualified Opportunity Zones, Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery\u0026rsquo;s 31,150-square-foot facility will include high-tech production lines and equipment used for mixing, frying, glazing and finishing baked goods, including the brand\u0026rsquo;s signature donuts. The facility will create up to 70 middle-wage job opportunities for local residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Nathan Regan, senior vice president of Economic Development for\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, Invest Atlanta worked closely with the company and put together as many products as it could to make a normally slim-margin food manufacturing facility work inside the city of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is an investment in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside,\u0026rdquo; says Nathan. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;ve agreed to hire workers from WorkSource Atlanta and will be training employees on this new type of equipment, which will provide good and promising jobs. This is a win, win, win for everyone involved.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCFG, a Georgia Minority Business Award recipient, was established in 1989 by a former hourly Taco Bell employee. Today, this family-owned and operated enterprise includes more than 75 restaurants under its umbrella, such as Checkers, Popeyes, TGI Friday\u0026rsquo;s, Church\u0026rsquo;s Chicken, Dunkin\u0026rsquo; Brands and Take 5 franchises. CFG partner ZSC Enterprises is one of the fastest-growing Dunkin\u0026rsquo; franchisees in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith control of just under 50 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants in the Atlanta area, CFG and ZSC are expanding to ensure their restaurants and the broader Atlanta market will have an ample supply of baked goods as Dunkin\u0026rsquo; continues growing across the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":358,"title":"Annie E. Casey Foundation Funds NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant Projects","promo_title":"Annie E. Casey Foundation Funds NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant Projects","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1410,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oct_i_i_annie_foundation.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1647329,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:46:45.714-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:46:45.925-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.680-04:00","filename_hash":"oct_i_i_annie_foundation_r6QQ1yB.png","width":1080,"height":905},"filename":"annie-e-casey-foundation-funds-npu-v-small-business-improvement-grant-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3AFy6Q","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.654-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.654-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In 2019, Invest Atlanta was awarded a $65,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to administer and market a small business improvement program for property owners. The fund is intended to help owners make improvements to their buildings, increase the value of their property, ensure buildings are fit for tenants and create beautification in the commercial corridors.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn 2019, Invest Atlanta was awarded a $65,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to administer and market a small business improvement program for property owners. The fund is intended to help owners make improvements to their buildings, increase the value of their property, ensure buildings are \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003efit for tenants\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e and create beautification in the commercial corridors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-bb1c6fba-7fff-bdf8-89bf-221286b3a156\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is now awarding the first of these grants to four different properties in the Pittsburgh, Peoplestown, and Mechanicsville neighborhoods for a total of $40,000. Three of the properties are clustered around McDaniel Street, which is a key corridor in the Pittsburgh neighborhood, and the fourth is on nearby Pryor Street.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re happy to have projects within such close proximity to each other,\u0026rdquo; says Jennifer Fine, \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003evice president of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives for Invest Atlanta\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e. \u0026ldquo;These property owners take great pride in their buildings, and we\u0026rsquo;re pleased the funding will serve different types of projects within this community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRecipients will use the grants for window and door replacement, gates and fencing, as well as waterproofing for much-wanted restaurant space in the community.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Peoplestown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":351,"title":"Predevelopment Loan Fund Helps Small Developers in Eastside TAD","promo_title":"Predevelopment Loan Fund Helps Small Developers in Eastside TAD","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":298,"parent_id":15,"resource_file_name":"eastside_tad_map_wide.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":497156,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:16.221-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:16.422-05:00","updated_at":"2023-03-08T10:16:40.843-05:00","filename_hash":"eastside_tad_map_wide_4X3JrB7.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"predevelopment-loan-fund-helps-small-developers-in-eastside-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IOgGHw","created_at":"2020-09-21T11:48:44.541-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-21T11:48:44.541-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized $1.5 million in funding from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund to support residential and commercial real estate development within the Eastside TAD.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized $1.5 million in funding from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund to support residential and commercial real estate development within the Eastside TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program is intended to help small developers and property owners, outside the Sweet Auburn TAD, seeking to develop or significantly rehabilitate residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. The fund will help secure capital needed to complete the work necessary to bring projects to a level of financing viability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere currently is a predevelopment assistance fund in the Eastside TAD dedicated to development in the Sweet Auburn Corridor. This program will serve the remainder of the TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, there have been several requests from property owners and developers who want to activate their property. \u0026ldquo;The fund is designed to help small investors and developers activate their properties and fill in those final steps from a technical side to advance their projects from idea and concept and bring them into fruition,\u0026rdquo; says Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;This will be a new solution to assist those developers and projects.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program, which mirrors aspects of similar programs launched within the Campbellton Road TAD, the Perry-Bolton TAD and the Westside TAD, will provide funding to for-profit and nonprofit developers and property owners with annualized revenues less than $2 million and less than 50 employees to advance their projects towards construction and development. Funding will support feasibility and financial analysis, design and cost estimation services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":353,"title":"Atlanta Beautician Utilizes Strength in Beauty Fund to Stay Afloat","promo_title":"Atlanta Beautician Utilizes Strength in Beauty Fund to Stay Afloat","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":1381,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"cosmetology_relief_grant_-_jasmine_smith.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":517822,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-21T17:01:32.171-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-21T17:01:32.243-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:03.517-04:00","filename_hash":"cosmetology_relief_grant_-_jasmine_smith_2aMJwBK.png","width":600,"height":400},"filename":"atlanta-beautician-utilizes-strength-in-beauty-fund-to-stay-afloat","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"OfUNDQ","created_at":"2020-09-21T17:02:30.299-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:03.493-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Beautician Jasmine Smith was just finishing her maternity leave following the birth of her first child when the pandemic forced her business, Beya Salon Studio \u0026amp; Allie, to shut down.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeautician Jasmine Smith was just finishing her maternity leave following the birth of her first child when the pandemic forced her business, Beya Salon Studio \u0026amp; Allie, to shut down. At the time, Smith, who holds a license in cosmetology, had been in the process of growing and expanding her business. Instead, she found herself struggling to make ends meet.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith applied for the Strength in Beauty Fund, a relief effort supporting Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s cosmetology industry workers who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta was a huge comfort to me,\u0026rdquo; says Smith. \u0026ldquo;Everyone there was great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBeing a recipient of the fund has helped Smith maintain her bills and recoup some of the losses resulting from wasted supplies, as well as cancellations. Additionally, the fund has enabled her to subscribe to some paid marketing platforms to promote her business on social media.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The fund helped me keep things afloat,\u0026rdquo; says Smith. \u0026ldquo;And here we are, six months in, and still not back to normal. So the fund has really helped.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":349,"title":"Atlanta Breakfast Club Opens Second Location in the Eastside TAD","promo_title":"Atlanta Breakfast Club Opens Second Location in the Eastside TAD","published_date":"2020-09-11","featured_image":{"id":1375,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta-breakfast-club_640v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":18780,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:54:27.165-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-11T14:54:27.197-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:40.057-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta-breakfast-club_640v2_YB85k4L.png","width":640,"height":300},"filename":"atlanta-breakfast-club-opens-second-location-in-the-eastside-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bEnVvg","created_at":"2020-09-11T14:57:28.497-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:40.033-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/457046392","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eAtlanta Breakfast Club\u003c/a\u003e, in partnership with \u003ca href=\"https://www.goodplaces.io/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eGood Places\u003c/a\u003e, held a virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 5, 2020 for the grand opening of its second location amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event coincided with \u003ca href=\"https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/atlanta-directory/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eBlack Restaurant Week\u003c/a\u003e, which kicked off September 4 and is now celebrating 4 years in the Atlanta community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\"\u003eAtlanta Breakfast Club\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e, in partnership with \u003ca href=\"https://www.goodplaces.io/\"\u003eGood Places\u003c/a\u003e, held a virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 5, 2020 for the grand opening of its second location amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event coincided with \u003ca href=\"https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/atlanta-directory/\"\u003eBlack Restaurant Week\u003c/a\u003e, which kicked off September 4 and is now celebrating 4 years in the Atlanta community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Civil Rights District and the revitalizing area of Sweet Auburn and the Old Fourth Ward is the ideal spot for our second location,\u0026rdquo; said Osiris Ballard \u0026amp; Chef Anthony Sanders, owners of ABC. \u0026ldquo;We are honored to be a part of this catalytic development with Good Places and Invest Atlanta, helping revitalize an area with such a powerful historical beauty.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003eInvest Atlanta allocated nearly $550,000 from the Eastside Tax District (TAD) towards this development with Good Places and Ethical Property Group. Located at 340 Auburn Avenue, the 5,200 square-foot commercial building renovation includes not only restaurant space but an events space and \u0026ldquo;micro unit\u0026rdquo; apartments. The development is projected to have an total economic impact of $2.6 million from capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJoined by Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich and Councilmember Amir Farokhi, the virtual celebration featured remarks from Cherie Ong of Good Places, a tour of the restaurant, and interviews with Brian Holland of \u003ca href=\"https://phoenixroasters.coffee/\"\u003ePhoenix Roasters\u003c/a\u003e and Bem Joiner of \u003ca href=\"https://aie.life/\"\u003eAtlanta Influences Everything\u003c/a\u003e among other key community leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta deserves a tremendous amount of credit,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Farokhi in closing on Saturday. \u0026ldquo;This is an intentional investment and the type of growth is we want to see in the corridor, particularly for underinvested parts of the eastside.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003eTo view the full recording of the online Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, visit \u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317916489424491\u0026amp;extid=ohF7pbMXnQnsEPFC\"\u003eABC\u0026rsquo;s Facebook Page\u003c/a\u003e. A downloadable menu of ABC\u0026rsquo;s world-famous chicken and waffles offerings along with Phoenix Roaster\u0026rsquo;s equitably-sourced nitro craft beverages can be found on their website \u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\"\u003ehere.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) was established in 2003 to help the City of Atlanta attract residents, jobs, and retail needed to make Downtown a vibrant 24-hour center of activity. Invest Atlanta, the city\u0026rsquo;s economic development arm, continues to accept applications for eligible projects that provide affordable housing, expand economic development, focus on historic preservation, and/or are supported by non-profit sponsors providing services with public benefits. Learn more \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing/eastside\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":348,"title":"Executive Corner: Why Milletech Systems, Inc. Chose Atlanta for their Expansion ","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Milletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar ","published_date":"2020-09-11","featured_image":{"id":1374,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-09-11_at_2.24.58_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1170138,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:25:38.907-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-11T14:25:39.556-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:29:38.184-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-09-11_at_2.24.58_pm_XJn9kWv.png","width":1804,"height":958},"filename":"executive-corner-milletech-systems-inc-ceo-nasir-mujawar","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"krmQxQ","created_at":"2020-09-11T14:26:42.435-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:29:38.161-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/456216836","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Milletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar sat down with Invest Atlanta in the Executive Corner to share about making the move to Atlanta with the support of the City, Invest Atlanta, and State Economic Development Partners.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eMilletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar sat down with Invest Atlanta in the Executive Corner to share about making the move to Atlanta with the support of the City, Invest Atlanta, and State Economic Development Partners.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eFounded in 2000, Milletech provides end-to-end business solutions through e-business suites, business intelligence solutions, cloud infrastructure, application migration services, cloud technologies, and web-based application development. Leveraging its differentiators of quality project management, thorough understanding of business practices, technical proficiency, and proven software design and delivery models, Milletech delivers a sustainable cost model while utilizing a local workforce.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Milletech\u0026rsquo;s Software Development Center will create jobs in emerging cloud technologies and software development in the city of Atlanta, instead of offshoring those opportunities to other countries. This facility is a first-of-its-kind software development center, which will provide career pathways to Georgia\u0026rsquo;s local talent pool while boosting the state economy,\u0026rdquo; said Nasir Mujawar, CEO of Milletech Systems Inc.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eLeveraging local talent from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s HBCUs, Milletech plans to recruit more than 100 Georgia college graduates for full-time positions every year in collaboration with WorkSource Atlanta - the city\u0026rsquo;s workforce development agency, and the University System of Georgia.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is in the process of integrating into Invest Atlanta to unify economic development and workforce development programs in the city of Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":344,"title":"IA Board Approves Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF) to Assist Small Businesses ","promo_title":"Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF) to Assist Small Businesses ","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":406,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"businesses_nowaccount_mantle_940x360.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":171209,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-02T11:14:38.564-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-01-02T11:14:38.751-05:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T12:07:19.967-04:00","filename_hash":"businesses_nowaccount_mantle_940x360_BxvkrzO.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"ia-board-approves-atlanta-cares-revolving-loan-fund-acrlf-to-assist-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"RpH8Nw","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:44:22.341-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T12:07:19.922-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its August board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved $760,000 of funding for the Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF). This follows the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/invest-atlanta-authorizes-rise-atlanta-low-interest-revolving-loan-fund\"\u003eRise Atlanta Revolving Loan Fund (RARLF)\u003c/a\u003e that was just approved at July\u0026rsquo;s board meeting. As another low-interest loan option for Atlanta small businesses, the purpose of the ACRLF is to provide financial support for small and local businesses that were impacted by COVID-19.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmall businesses are a mainstay in Atlanta and represent an integral part of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy. While there are currently 20,000 small businesses operating in Atlanta, following a major disaster, an estimated 25 percent of these businesses do not reopen according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. To quickly address this need, the ACRLF is projected to launch in September 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualifying businesses will receive a direct loan between the amount of $10,000 to $100,000 with a six to 12-month deferment before first payment is due. The loan is not to exceed seven years and will have an interest rate of one to three percent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ACRLF and RARLF will be joining 11 other current loan fund offerings for small businesses at Invest Atlanta. For more information and for eligibility requirements on these loan options, visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003ehttps://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":345,"title":"Coming Soon to Sweet Auburn: Community Office Space Empowered by the Eastside TAD Grant","promo_title":"Affordable Community Office Space Coming to Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1370,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"thrive_4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":130899,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:47:40.973-04:00","caption":"Thrive Sweet Auburn","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:47:41.008-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:02:40.789-04:00","filename_hash":"thrive_4_8mgkz42.jpg","width":1207,"height":713},"filename":"coming-soon-to-sweet-auburn-community-office-space-empowered-by-the-eastside-tad-grant","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Wtp4yg","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:49:03.122-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:02:40.756-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently approved a $715,000 from the Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) Community Empowerment Fund to finance Thrive Sweet Auburn. This new construction mixed-use development will provide a co-work office facility within the community for critically needed non-profit services and community-serving small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at 302-284 Decatur Street, one block west of the King Memorial MARTA station, the developer Project Community Connections, Inc. (PCCI) will create approximately 15,577 square feet of new office space and 117 affordable rental units. TAD funding will assist in building out the office spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe hybrid-office space includes a combination of leasable offices, desks and flexible workspace, all supported by amenities such as reservable conference rooms and a small media studio.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn July, the board also approved Eastside TAD funding for renovations on another community space located at \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/eastside-tad-financing-approved-for-community-of-hospitality-properties-on-edgewood-ave\"\u003e458 and 460 Edgewood Avenue\u003c/a\u003e. With the Eastside TAD funding guidelines requiring that a percentage of below-market, for-rent commercial spaces be available, these projects demonstrate the City\u0026rsquo;s commitment to creating affordable office space for local and disadvantaged businesses as part of its economic mobility initiative. Learn more about these projects \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing/eastside\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":343,"title":"Invest Atlanta Creates Predevelopment Assistance Fund for Beltline TAD","promo_title":"Predevelopment Assistance Fund Created for Beltline TAD","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1369,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_beltline_tad.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":140067,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:36:45.470-04:00","caption":"Beltline TAD","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:36:45.595-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:00:47.801-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_beltline_tad_r64qeQV.jpg","width":869,"height":779},"filename":"invest-atlanta-creates-predevelopment-assistance-fund-for-beltline-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"VuVViA","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:38:43.533-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:00:47.766-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved the authorization of up to $750,000 from the BeltLine TAD Affordable Housing Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide resources to help both for-profit and non-profit small developers to secure the needed capital to advance their residential real estate projects toward construction and development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Predevelopment Assistance Fund mirrors aspects of \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/ia-approves-new-predevelopment-assistance-fund-program-within-tad-areas\"\u003esimilar programs\u003c/a\u003e launched within the Campbellton Road TAD, the Perry-Bolton TAD, as well as the Westside TAD. Maximum loan amounts will be $250,000 per project. The fund is intended to support design services, cost estimation and feasibility and financial analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible projects must provide at least one of the following criteria: New multifamily rental with 20 percent of units at or below 60 percent AMI (Area Median Income); Rehab multifamily rental with 20 percent of units at or below 60 percent AMI; New or rehab single-family for-sale with 20 percent at or below 120 percent AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BeltLine TAD is one of 10 Tax Allocation Districts to help Atlanta grow and prosper by incentivizing development in areas needing additional investment. \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e for information on Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s TAD programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":342,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League, a Near Century-Old Atlanta Landmark Organization Remains Strong During Pandemic ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League","published_date":"2020-08-20","featured_image":{"id":1365,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"abl.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":177717,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:16.960-04:00","caption":"Atlanta Business League","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:17.031-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T13:00:53.972-04:00","filename_hash":"abl_W1zLxK8.jpg","width":1420,"height":796},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-atlanta-business-league-a-near-century-old-atlanta-landmark-organization-remains-strong-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M5IlYg","created_at":"2020-08-20T13:09:11.241-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:11:05.113-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/447178476","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Business League (ABL) is an 87-year-old business organization focused on the growth, creation, and development of successful African American business owners in Atlanta. Leona Barr Davenport, President and CEO of the ABL, says its goal has remained the same since the enterprise\u0026rsquo;s inception in 1933: \u0026ldquo;To help our members stay connected, to highlight them in the community, to market them, and to continue to bring value in the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHelping its members pivot or \u0026ldquo;re-imagine\u0026rdquo; their businesses has been part of the ABL\u0026rsquo;s mission since well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas luncheons, workshops, and seminars were programming staples, they\u0026rsquo;ve had to switch to utilizing more technology in order to bring information of value to their members, such as hosting weekly webinars.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been a longstanding partner of the Atlanta Business League and, remarks Barr-Davenport, the Atlanta community as a whole. She feels the city of Atlanta is unique in providing young business owners with the opportunities to connect and build relationships with veteran, seasoned business owners.\u0026nbsp; Remarks Barr-Davenport, \u0026ldquo;I would encourage aspiring business owners to understand that building relationships is key.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":341,"title":"New Grant Program Available to Assist Small Businesses Impacted by the Pandemic","promo_title":"Resurgence Fund Launches to Assist Atlanta's Small Businesses","published_date":"2020-08-03","featured_image":{"id":1307,"parent_id":6,"resource_file_name":"resurgence_logo.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":512068,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-03T20:35:18.564-04:00","caption":"Resurgence Logo Small","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-03T20:35:18.641-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-04T07:32:03.885-04:00","filename_hash":"resurgence_logo_ZOalgLe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"new-grant-program-available-to-assist-small-businesses-impacted-by-the-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BDa9Ug","created_at":"2020-08-03T20:27:01.733-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-04T07:32:03.841-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently announced the new \u003ca href=\"/resurgence-fund-dashboard\"\u003eResurgence Grant Fund\u003c/a\u003e, a program to help Atlanta small businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Atlanta businesses need support at this time and the Resurgence Grant Fund is designed to stimulate economic growth and recovery by providing grants to qualifying city of Atlanta businesses.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Resurgence Grant Fund is made possible by the Atlanta City Council\u0026rsquo;s $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dollars.\u0026nbsp; A portion of the funds will also be used to recapitalize the recently launched \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/cosmetology-relief-fund-corf#:~:text=Established%20by%20Mayor%20Keisha%20Lance,in%20the%20city%20of%20Atlanta.\"\u003eStrength in Beauty Fund\u003c/a\u003e in order to continue supporting Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s cosmetology industries.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMayor Bottoms explained the message behind the name of this new fund:\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s motto is Resurgens -- Latin for \u0026lsquo;rising again.\u0026rsquo; Resurgens is more than an emblem, it is part of the One Atlanta way, coming together as one community to support each other in times of need.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; As COVID-19 continues to challenge Atlanta small businesses and the communities that depend on them, the Resurgence program will provide funds to help businesses operate safely and protect their employees as our city recovers together.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eQualified city of Atlanta businesses will have the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 from the Resurgence Grant Fund to help cover pandemic-related costs such as complying with requirements necessary for businesses to operate safely. In addition, the grant offers businesses access to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eProfessionals in the cosmetology sector can also apply for up to $1,000 through the Strength in Beauty program to alleviate hardships due to the loss of revenue due to the pandemic.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are listening to the needs of the business community and continue to deploy resources to help them through the impacts of COVID-19,\u0026rdquo; said Eloise Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Economic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equity, and Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recovery from the pandemic must be an equitable recovery. These new grant programs will help achieve this by ensuring more Atlanta small business owners have access to funds to adapt their business and operate safely.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eApplications will be open from August 10 - August 31. Invest Atlanta will host a citywide online educational webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. for interested small business owners to review qualifications, eligibility and the application process. To register, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e. The webinar will be available on-demand for those that cannot attend live.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":339,"title":"Eastside TAD Financing Approved for Community of Hospitality Properties on Edgewood Ave.","promo_title":"Eastside TAD Financing Approved for Community of Hospitality","published_date":"2020-07-28","featured_image":{"id":1300,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"107930547_3475903339109226_3754347603439383978_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":70413,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:47:57.342-04:00","caption":"Community of Hospitality","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-28T16:47:57.380-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:50:30.701-04:00","filename_hash":"107930547_3475903339109226_3754347603439383978_o_OPEyWR6.jpg","width":1080,"height":634},"filename":"eastside-tad-financing-approved-for-community-of-hospitality-properties-on-edgewood-ave","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1AWQKw","created_at":"2020-07-28T16:49:37.961-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:50:30.653-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its July board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved financing from the Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) Community Empowerment Fund up to $320,000 to fund the building renovation of 458 and 460 Edgewood Avenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe renovation of the adjoining properties would create 6,600 square feet of affordable retail and office space for non-profit and social impact users. The properties are owned by Community of Hospitality (COH), an intentional, faith-based organization committed to the service of others by traditionally serving the homeless and now, via this project, cultivating socially-oriented small businesses and nonprofits to further their missions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCOH is most known for its work at the property through Caf\u0026eacute; 458, a restaurant concept that provided employment and a safe space for meals for homeless residents. The property was also home to the organization\u0026rsquo;s signature program The Edge, which provided comprehensive support services for homeless people seeking work.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e458 Edgewood is a 2,000-square-foot single-story building built in 1940, comprised of a commercial kitchen and dining area. COH intends to activate the space with a social-impact food and beverage provider focused on economic and creative empowerment. 460 Edgewood is approximately 4,600 square feet split between two floors. The ground floor will house community meeting space and private offices, with the second floor containing eight offices and a common collaborative area. Programming of the collaborative area will include community empowerment programming, educational and vocational classes, skills sharing, and community organizing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn accordance with the Eastside TAD funding guidelines, 20 percent of leasable square footage\u0026nbsp;will be restricted to rents that are equal to or less than 20 percent of the area\u0026rsquo;s market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":338,"title":"Invest Atlanta Authorizes Rise Atlanta Low-Interest Revolving Loan Fund","promo_title":"Rise Atlanta Low-Interest Revolving Loan Fund","published_date":"2020-07-28","featured_image":{"id":1299,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"109501484_3475911559108404_6805835519922468004_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":75521,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:41:26.895-04:00","caption":"Rise Atlanta Loan Fund","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-28T16:41:27.194-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:38.412-04:00","filename_hash":"109501484_3475911559108404_6805835519922468004_o_7J2gWo6.jpg","width":1080,"height":720},"filename":"invest-atlanta-authorizes-rise-atlanta-low-interest-revolving-loan-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"K9Z6xQ","created_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:08.100-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:38.366-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta recently authorized the creation of the new Rise Atlanta Revolving Loan Fund (RARLF). The purpose of the RARLF is to provide a public benefit in the form of low-interest small business loans to small and local businesses engaged in trade, industry, and commerce located in Community Development Impact Areas (CDIA) of the city of Atlanta to recover from an economic shock or disaster.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eQualified applicants are eligible for direct loans between $10,000 and $50,000 over a period not to exceed seven years. Interest rates for the loan will not exceed 3 percent and the first payment may be deferred until March 1, 2021. Funds can be used for inventory, working capital, equipment, fixtures, furniture, and up to $30,000 of the loan can be used to retire high-interest rate business debt accounts\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSmall businesses are a vital part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy. Approximately 16,000 businesses operate in the city of Atlanta. Almost 95 percent of those businesses have less than 50 employees and/or $500K in revenue. An estimated 25 percent of businesses do not open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Following a disaster, 90 percent of smaller companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe RARLF will help ensure the viability of small, minority and female-owned businesses located in Community Development Impact Areas (CDIA). CDIA areas of the City of Atlanta can include Auburn Ave, Donald L. Hollowell Parkway, Campbellton Rd, Kirkwood, Westend/Westview, East Atlanta, Metropolitan Avenue, Memorial Drive, Cascade Rd, Georgia Avenue, Pryor Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Lowery Blvd., Sylvan/Dill and surrounding areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":337,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iWi Fresh Pivots to “Uber Self Care” During Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iwi Fresh","published_date":"2020-07-21","featured_image":{"id":1295,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"iwi_fresh.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":112807,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.309-04:00","caption":"iwi Fresh","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.867-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.536-04:00","filename_hash":"iwi_fresh_5E6q6Oq.jpg","width":1303,"height":799},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-iwi-fresh-pivots-to-uber-self-care-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JizsPA","created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:39.407-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.483-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/440647944","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYolanda Owens, owner of iwi Fresh - the garden day spa located in the historic Castleberry Hill Art district - has been making her own natural skincare recipes for fourteen years. Inspired by her grandmother, Owens developed the hobby of creating skincare products and beauty creams for her family and friends. Nicknamed \u0026ldquo;The Skincare Chef,\u0026rdquo; Owens went on to open iwi Fresh in 2010, where clients can purchase their farm-based, raw ingredient products and enjoy spa treatments.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWith the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Owens developed several innovative ways to adapt, such as creating \u0026ldquo;Uber Self Care\u0026rdquo; which delivered products to customers\u0026rsquo; doorsteps. \u0026ldquo;Another pivot that we did was Quarantine Selfcare Curbside Pickup,\u0026rdquo; Owens explained, where customers could pick up products safely from outside the store.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, Owens has taken to social media to promote their products and services and hosts an Instagram Live program about self care.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe new product packages that iwi Fresh launched in order to serve its clients during the pandemic also came with extra expenses, such as packaging materials and ingredients. The Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) was able to help the company with these needs. \u0026ldquo;With the [BCLF] money I was able to take care of staff, and I was able to take care of inventory,\u0026rdquo; said Owens. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta seems like the central hub for small business owners in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; remarked Owens. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s the go-to place.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":336,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Comedy Theater Dad’s Garage Finds Creative Ways to Survive Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Dad's Garage","published_date":"2020-07-08","featured_image":{"id":1283,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"dadsgarage-106.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2239695,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:47.751-04:00","caption":"Dad's Garage","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:48.415-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.110-04:00","filename_hash":"dadsgarage-106_LgmWJxr.jpg","width":5716,"height":3355},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-comedy-theater-dads-garage-finds-creative-ways-to-survive-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1g_i1w","created_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:13.434-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.051-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHoused in a former church in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Old Fourth Ward is Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage, the award-winning nonprofit theater company, now in its 25th year. All of the performers have one goal for the 450 shows they annually produce: \u0026ldquo;To transform people, communities, and perspectives using laughter.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Director Lara Smith explained that, since they cannot hold live shows, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has taken its content to Twitch, an online streaming platform. Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage currently streams between thirty and forty hours of content a week. Smith says they\u0026rsquo;ve received over 10 thousand viewers - much more than the number of people they would usually reach with only live performances.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the improv shows Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces, the company also provides classes for the general public, year-round youth programming including a summer-camp component, and training for corporations. Even during the pandemic, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has successfully moved their classes, youth program and summer-camp to a digital format.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith says one added benefit of moving online is that, \u0026ldquo;in all of these areas people can now participate from father away. We have people from all over the Southeast who are aware of Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage and now they can participate.\u0026rdquo; While the theater remains closed for the foreseeable future, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has created three distinct ways for people to support the company via Twitch - through a donation, a micro donation or with a subscription.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces some original scripted comedic works, many of which have a social justice angle - while still offering laughs. Some of these archived shows are available to rent and watch, with all proceeds going to support those on the frontlines of the respective causes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Twitch is helping tremendously and paying for itself, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage still has operating costs to maintain and employees on staff. As they began to think about reopening, Smith explained that the funding from the Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) provided them with flexibility.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s allowed us to think longer term and bigger picture. For us, it\u0026rsquo;s given us the space to think long term and we can look strictly at the data as to when it\u0026rsquo;s safe to reopen. We want to make sure our audience feels safe.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the funds will help pay for necessary renovations, in accordance with the Center for Disease Control\u0026rsquo;s safety requirements for businesses to reopen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith feels that the company was uniquely positioned to be able to pivot gracefully from live shows to Twitch. After losing their longtime rental home in Inman Park in 2013, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage spent two years being \u0026ldquo;homeless.\u0026rdquo; It was during that challenging time that Smith says that they were able to reaffirm their mission. The team recognized that stage shows were not the sole way to fulfill their goal. They created other programming which they are now relying upon during the pandemic. Remarked Smith, \u0026ldquo;You can always pivot, if you get to the heart of what you\u0026rsquo;re trying to do.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":335,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Vine City Eatery Pivots with Business Continuity Loan Fund Assistance ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Local Green","published_date":"2020-07-02","featured_image":{"id":1282,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"local_green.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":181867,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.132-04:00","caption":"Local Green","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.569-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:08.024-04:00","filename_hash":"local_green_kbpbLjq.jpg","width":1363,"height":940},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-vine-city-eatery-pivots-with-business-continuity-loan-fund-assistance","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9U9l1Q","created_at":"2020-07-02T14:26:10.068-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:07.980-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/435731335?title=0\u0026byline=0\u0026portrait=0","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNative Atlantan Zak Wallace, owner, founder, and CEO of the Vine City eatery Local Green, grew up in a food desert in Southwest Atlanta. Inspired after seeing first-hand how food insecurity and poor eating habits plagued his community, in 2017 he created Local Green. The business began as a food truck and grew to become a thriving restaurant, serving healthy food to a community desperately lacking in \u0026ldquo;wholesome food options.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the pandemic hit in March, Local Green\u0026rsquo;s business plummeted drastically and took a huge financial hit. Says Wallace, \u0026ldquo;People from Invest Atlanta reached out and were able to tell me what programs were available.\u0026rdquo; Local Green received thirty thousand dollars in Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) funds.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;The resources I was allotted allowed me to make sure my operational money was in place for the core of my business,\u0026rdquo; explains Wallace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace says that \u0026ldquo;human interactions\u0026rdquo; have been one of the biggest changes his business has seen as a result of COVID-19. \u0026ldquo;People would come in and it was like an escape of what might be going on outside the doors. Now we are doing all digital online ordering and curbside delivery.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Because Local Green\u0026rsquo;s dining room remains closed due to COVID-19, Wallace is looking to expand the food truck model and form deeper connections with other communities, too. This transition will allow Local Green to continue to spread its message of health and hope across Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace is tremendously grateful for the BCLF and Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s overall mission.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been here in an ideal way,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":334,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces CoA Recovery Fund for Impacted Small Businesses","promo_title":"Mayor Establishes Small Business Recovery Fund","published_date":"2020-06-23","featured_image":{"id":1239,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"closeup-photo-black-door-yes-we-are-open-signage-929245.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4796383,"resource_updated_at":"2020-06-23T14:59:58.843-04:00","caption":"Small Business","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-06-23T14:59:59.419-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-23T15:07:10.709-04:00","filename_hash":"closeup-photo-black-door-yes-we-are-open-signage-929245_kbwe225.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-announces-coa-recovery-fund-for-impacted-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TXPBIg","created_at":"2020-06-23T15:00:51.950-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-23T15:07:10.672-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently authorized the creation of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/city-of-atlanta-recovery-fund\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCoA Recovery Fund\u003c/a\u003e to support businesses and facilities that were adversely impacted during otherwise peaceful demonstrations in response to recent incidents highlighting systemic racism in American society.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe fund offered grants to help small businesses\u0026nbsp;quickly address damages so they can continue to serve residents and communities with needed amenities and services. The fund also served to promote trade, industry, and commerce and will protect the much-needed jobs of hard-working citizens.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The peaceful protests taking place here in Atlanta and around the world have sent a clear message on the need to address systemic racism in our nation at a deeper level,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Unfortunately, in the midst of the peaceful protests, we witnessed a small and destructive group cause damage to businesses in our city. Thank you to Invest Atlanta for coordinating the City\u0026#39;s Recovery Fund to assist small businesses with their recovery and efforts to continue supporting our communities through jobs and the services.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSmall businesses with a current City of Atlanta business license that sustained damages were able to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to cover the insurance deductible or cost of actual repairs to restore the property and business operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":333,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Community Barbershop in Kirkwood Reopens After Two Month Covid-19 Closure","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Barbershop","published_date":"2020-06-17","featured_image":{"id":1235,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4g0a4466-edit.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":13368440,"resource_updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.040-04:00","caption":"Trophy Room - Rolando","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.529-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.095-04:00","filename_hash":"4g0a4466-edit_Qgabbxl.jpg","width":3742,"height":5054},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-trophy-room-community-barbershop-in-kirkwood-reopens-after-two-month-covid-19-closure","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gPukIg","created_at":"2020-06-17T14:11:35.468-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.038-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRolando Rubi, owner of The Trophy Room Barber Shop, a neighborhood barber shop in Kirkwood on the east side of Atlanta, knows that his store is much more than a place where men can get a great haircut. \u0026ldquo;Our focus is really building relationships with our clients. I feel we give back to Kirkwood just that.\u0026nbsp; A very safe, clean, fun place to get a haircut but also a place where the neighbors have a chance to meet each other and create their own type of community.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi turned to Invest Atlanta to help him open the shop back in 2014. After successfully repaying his loan, he was awarded with the Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;Community Favorite\u0026rdquo; award in 2017.\u0026nbsp; When the pandemic hit this Spring, like so many businesses, Trophy Room had to temporarily close its doors, and Rubi reached out to partner with Invest Atlanta once again. Trophy Room received a twenty-five-thousand-dollar Business Community Loan Fund (BCLF) \u0026nbsp;to help fund the renovations necessary to reopen in a safe manner for both their clients and team.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to modifying and opening up the existing space to ensure that all of his five full-time barbers have the requisite socially distant space between their areas, Rubi needed to purchase PPE equipment, infrared thermometers, and air purifiers.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the barbers themselves have had to modify their schedules so that only two barbers are working at a time, to minimize the amount of people inside the shop.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room has always been by appointment only so this will certainly help reduce foot traffic, as they do not accept walk-ins.\u0026nbsp; And, because client safety and infection control has always been paramount to the field of cosmetology, Rubi feels the extra precautions will simply be adjusting to the \u0026ldquo;new normal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Trophy Room Renovation\" height=\"667\" src=\"/assets/4g0a4387_QgabbEg.jpg\" width=\"1000\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter being closed for two months, Trophy Room reopened in early June.\u0026nbsp; Rubi says he feels \u0026ldquo;confident that barbering is an economically stable industry where we can safely return and make an honest living.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they were gearing up to reopen, Rubi and his staff called each and every one of their regular clients to let them know they were reopening.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room\u0026rsquo;s loyal customer base has been helping support the shop during the two-month closure, through purchasing gift cards as well as tipping the individual barbers \u0026ldquo;very generously\u0026rdquo; via Venmo.\u0026nbsp; Rubi also credits his staff with doing their part to help flatten the curve \u0026ndash; not doing any side-jobs \u0026ndash; and waiting until it was safe before returning to work.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Slow and steady always wins the race, and that\u0026rsquo;s what we are doing.\u0026nbsp; We are adjusting what works and changing what doesn\u0026rsquo;t.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi believes that his positive outlook on life and his way of handling negative situations has helped tremendously, too.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Covid-19 came. I could\u0026rsquo;ve reacted negatively and chosen a different path, and I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be as solvent financially, emotionally, or spiritually. I chose the positive route,\u0026rdquo; he explains.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;And also, homemade chocolate chip cookies help.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":332,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid","published_date":"2020-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1222,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":820639,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:21.875-04:00","caption":"Alkaloid","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:22.059-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.644-04:00","filename_hash":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5_6aw3b34.jpg","width":2500,"height":1841},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-virtual-coworking-with-alkaloid","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"t-oNwg","created_at":"2020-05-26T11:15:59.494-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.604-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBack in March, when the shelter-in-place order was issued, Katharine Chestnut applied to seven different places for loan assistance for her Coworking spaces business, Alkaloid Networks. Chestnut explained that Invest Atlanta was the only one that came through. \u0026ldquo;They came through when everyone else was crickets or \u0026lsquo;we don\u0026rsquo;t know what we\u0026rsquo;re doing.\u0026rsquo; \u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLocated in a 14,000 square foot historic cotton warehouse along the Eastside Beltline, Alkaloid Networks just celebrated its fifth anniversary, though Chestnut says the celebration will have to wait. Instead of having gift bags on hand for members, she drove around the city delivering them. \u0026ldquo;Coworking is a very localized thing and I needed my members to feel connected,\u0026rdquo; she explained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDuring the first few weeks of the pandemic, Chestnut immediately launched a multitude of virtual events for her members, providing speakers and work-sprints.\u0026nbsp; Because Alkaloid depends completely on membership dues, Chestnut had to drastically adapt her business since, apart from some essential workers, the majority of members were unable to come in. She also offers a variety of free services because, \u0026ldquo;there are a lot of people who are suddenly working from home now for the first time!\u0026rdquo; To that end, she now offers a new level of membership for those who work from home in addition to posting her free events to LinkedIn and Facebook, and has a Slack channel which she calls \u0026ldquo;The Bright Side\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; for people to share positivity. The response, Chestnut says, \u0026ldquo;has been very good.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eChestnut is called \u0026ldquo;The Connector\u0026rdquo; by her current and former members, because she is known for her ability to help foster relationships amongst everyone she knows. Even when people move away or outgrow her space, many of them still keep in touch with her.\u0026nbsp; She says she thrives on seeing people and knows how hard it is to suddenly feel isolated. As such, a few weeks ago she sent out personal emails to each of her 150 members, checking in and asking them what changes they would need to see in place before returning to their spaces. Many members wrote back saying how much they appreciated the communication and the virtual services she is providing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOne of the things Chestnut feels has helped her during this time when she went from 94% occupancy to barely breaking even, was having a plan. \u0026ldquo;If you weren\u0026rsquo;t prepared for this, it was not a good thing. I remember when 9/11 happened and I was I the events business.\u0026nbsp; It was pretty devastating, and people were very slow to return. They did, and they will now.\u0026rdquo; Still, while she\u0026rsquo;s not able to give tours and backfill her vacancies, having Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s zero percent interest financial assistance helps tremendously. But, she adds, \u0026ldquo;have a plan.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":331,"title":"Atlanta’s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2020 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"WEI 2020 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":843,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3249,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.735-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.258-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia_6ab7Pwe.jpg","width":194,"height":107},"filename":"atlantas-women-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2020-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pUqIXw","created_at":"2020-05-21T16:07:02.425-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.200-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the fifteen members of its third cohort at the monthly meeting of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries, from AgTech to healthcare to retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the City of Atlanta and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of community support for female entrepreneurs and noted that nearly 48 percent of women cite this lack of support as a key challenge they face. \u0026ldquo;The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative provides these entrepreneurs with resources that can help them thrive. Invest Atlanta is committed to assisting women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses so they can become the city\u0026#39;s job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants benefit from co-working space in downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building for the 15-month program that includes business education, financial literacy, marketing and branding strategies, as well as other types of mentor and peer support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI 2020 cohort includes Atlanta-based women entrepreneurs representing industries in AgTech, Construction, Consumer Goods, Information Technology, Health Care, Education, Marketing \u0026amp; Advertising and Workforce Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalling the newest cohort \u0026ldquo;the strongest yet,\u0026rdquo; WEI Executive Director Monica Hooks said, \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m beyond thrilled to help lead this group of extraordinary entrepreneurs. They represent Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s best and brightest. They are smart, they are agile, they are problem solvers, and their innovative solutions will help define the future of business. WEI is not just about women. It is about good business driven by women.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2020 cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAkissi Y. Stokes, WUNDERgrubs, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda A. Farahany, Bamboo Services LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber R. Lawson, Aspire Construction \u0026amp; Real Estate Consulting\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAriel Lopez, KNAC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDenise Alexis, DESIGN-1-1 LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvana Oli, Beautiful Curly Me LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHannelore Berger, JOYVIAL\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJamia Ramsey, Blendz Apparel Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKristina Monique Smith, Hope for Youth, Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eQuyionah Wingfield, Cool Moms Dance Too\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSarah Lindley Marske, Saramar, LLC DBA Saramar Group\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTanjuria A. Willis, eKlozet, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrish Miller, The William Pleshette Company\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVeronica Woodruff, Travelsist\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVictoria Randle, CNA Instructors Secret Cocktail\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":330,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Establishes Grants for City’s Creative and Cosmetology Workers Impacted by COVID-19","promo_title":"Relief Grants Established for Atlanta's Creative and Cosmetology Industry Workers","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":1220,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"creatl_sib.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1288981,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:54:59.595-04:00","caption":"Creative-Cosmo Grands","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-21T15:54:59.676-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T16:10:02.572-04:00","filename_hash":"creatl_sib_kbw35Y5.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-establishes-grants-for-citys-creative-and-cosmetology-workers-impacted-by-covid-19","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NoFNMw","created_at":"2020-05-21T15:59:07.093-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:59:34.060-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently launched two new relief funds for the city\u0026rsquo;s creative industry and beauty industry workers who have encountered economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Invest Atlanta will serve as the program administrator for the two funds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"/cosmetology-relief-fund-corf\"\u003eStrength in Beauty Fund \u003c/a\u003eprovides grant opportunities through a fiscal partnership with the United Way to assist the independent cosmetology workforce, including barbers, manicurists, skincare specialists and makeup artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a vibrant city and international hub for creatives and entertainment industry leaders,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We want to ensure our talent and cultural arts sectors are stable and well-supported during this time. This fund will help our creative artists continue to enrich our lives and our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"/creatl-relief-fund\"\u003ecreATL Relief fund\u003c/a\u003e will assist Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s creative community working in the gig economy with grants to alleviate economic hardship caused by project cancellations and other pandemic-related disruptions. The fund was launched through a public/private collaboration between the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of City Planning, Invest Atlanta, and City National Bank.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has thrived on its rich history as home to some of the most skilled and creative cosmetologists and beauty brands for decades,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. As a city, we want to uplift those that take their time each day to brighten the lives of so many through their work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth funds offer grants of $1,000 per applicant. Both funds are actively accepting additional donations through \u003ca href=\"https://atlstrong.org/donation/\"\u003eatlstrong.org/donation/\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":325,"title":"Eastside TAD Grants Approved to Support Two Renovations on Two Historic Wheat Street Properties","promo_title":"Renovations for Wheat Street Buildings","published_date":"2020-04-16","featured_image":{"id":1172,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wheat_street.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1647927,"resource_updated_at":"2020-04-16T11:11:44.897-04:00","caption":"Wheat Street","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T11:11:45.395-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:29.573-04:00","filename_hash":"wheat_street_r6OJmNl.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"eastside-tad-grants-approved-to-support-two-renovations-on-two-historic-wheat-street-properties","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"O59Drw","created_at":"2020-04-16T11:13:46.487-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:29.531-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its April board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved two grants from Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) funds to finance the rehabilitation of two buildings in the historic Wheat Street district.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first grant of $1.5 million from the Eastside TAD Community Empowerment Fund will support the rehabilitation of the historic Wheat Street Educational Building (WSEB). The WSEB is a historic office building that has provided Church-centered educational services since its construction in 1955. The new space will be targeted towards community-serving small businesses and non-profits and offer 21,000 square feet of office space.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency, a non-profit organization will also be permanently housed at the site. The organization provides food, job training, interview training, job placement, housing assistant and other social services and has been in operation at WSEB since 1982.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building will be fully renovated and restored to its original condition in accords with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Office\u0026rsquo;s guidelines. Improvements include all new electrical, HVAC, double-pane windows, an expanded commercial kitchen, and an elevator serving all floors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second grant of $650,000 from the Eastside TAD Resurgens Fund will finance the rehabilitation of the historic Wheat Street American Legion Building (ALB) to provide space for local retail, restaurants and small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ALB, once home to the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s American Legion post, has provided neighborhood retail and office space along Auburn Avenue since the first level was built in 1930. However, the property has been vacant and unusable for nearly 20 years. The ALB will be restored to its original condition in coordination with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Office\u0026rsquo;s guidelines so that it can support retail, restaurants, small businesses and non-profits. Improvements include: a new storefront, all new electrical, HVAC, double-pane windows, and an elevator serving all floors and the roof.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWheat Street Charitable Foundation (WSCF), a 501(c)(3) formed in 1969 as a separate legal entity from Wheat Street Baptist Church, is the developer for both renovations. In accordance with the Eastside TAD funding guidelines, 20 percent of leasable square footage for both buildings will be restricted to rents that are 20 percent below the area\u0026rsquo;s market rate for 15 years. These guidelines allow WSCF to target community-serving small businesses and non-profit organizations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":327,"title":"TAD Funds Approved for New StationSoccer Facility at iVillage@MLK","promo_title":"New SoccerStation Facility at iVillage@MLK","published_date":"2020-04-16","featured_image":{"id":1175,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"untitled-130.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":459282,"resource_updated_at":"2020-04-16T17:08:43.343-04:00","caption":"SoccerintheStreets","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T17:08:43.392-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:54.954-04:00","filename_hash":"untitled-130_YBvm7Wx.jpg","width":1500,"height":860},"filename":"tad-funds-approved-for-new-stationsoccer-facility-at-ivillagemlk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H2ZRKA","created_at":"2020-04-16T11:22:32.477-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:54.915-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its April meeting, the board of directors of Invest Atlanta, led by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, voted to approve funding for the construction of a StationSoccer facility at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/medium-large-businesses/startups-creatives/ivillage-at-mlk\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1587157259584000\u0026amp;usg=AFQjCNHhtRB9LBoz13co2xJoVPG0YkyRBA\" href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/medium-large-businesses/startups-creatives/ivillage-at-mlk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiVillage @ MLK\u003c/a\u003e. Invest Atlanta, MARTA,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.soccerstreets.org/\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1587157259584000\u0026amp;usg=AFQjCNHaq7RPwUsvM5eWYkjRQfqkoaqT6w\" href=\"https://www.soccerstreets.org/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSoccer in the Streets\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(SITS), Atlanta United Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation(LISC) and other\u0026nbsp;local\u0026nbsp;foundations are partnering on this venture, which will provide access to quality soccer and youth development programs for the community, while also supporting increased traffic and interest in iVillage @ MLK. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in June with a projected opening date in September 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eiVillage @ MLK, is the city of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first shipping container village, providing retail and business space to entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow a business. Located at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station, iVillage @ MLK was funded with almost $550,000 of Hollowell-ML King TAD (Tax Allocation District) grants allocated by Invest Atlanta and opened to the public in August 2019. Approximately $39,000 in funds from the project were authorized to construct the StationSoccer facility immediately adjacent to the iVillage @ MLK. Invest Atlanta also approved an additional allocation of $11,000 from the Hollowell-ML King TAD tax increment to support infrastructure costs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSITS is a not-for-profit organization that works to develop young leaders so they can lead rich lives and cultivate healthy communities through sports-based youth development. It serves over 5,000 youth through partnership programs with Atlanta Public Schools and other civic groups. Founded in 1989 in Atlanta, the organization reaches kids through soccer play, work-readiness training, hands-on experiential activities, and participation in youth leadership councils. The initiative is gaining worldwide recognition for its \u0026lsquo;StationSoccer\u0026rsquo; initiative \u0026ndash; which builds soccer fields and community classrooms in and around metro transit hubs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":323,"title":"Invest Atlanta Establishes Loan Fund for COVID-19 Affected Small Businesses","promo_title":"Emergency Funding for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Pandemic","published_date":"2020-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1149,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"90652231_3160706653962231_2741339803831238656_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":121874,"resource_updated_at":"2020-03-24T20:52:13.514-04:00","caption":"small business ","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-03-24T20:52:14.037-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:21.161-04:00","filename_hash":"90652231_3160706653962231_2741339803831238656_o_BxVNRMr.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"invest-atlanta-establishes-loan-fund-for-covid-19-affected-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"T0yaVA","created_at":"2020-03-24T20:53:47.538-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:21.140-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn March 20, 2020, Invest Atlanta launched a new loan fund to ensure the viability of businesses in the city of Atlanta in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Business Continuity Loan Fund provides zero-interest loans to help businesses sustain their employee base and maintain operations during this period of economic shock. The fund is for small businesses located in the city of Atlanta that are experiencing economic distress from COVID-19.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta acted quickly to establish the fund because small businesses account for a critical portion of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy. Of the approximately twenty thousand businesses operating in the city of Atlanta, almost 95 percent have less than fifty employees and/or $500K in revenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the fund, businesses can apply for a loan between $5,000 and $30,000 to cover rent and mortgage payments, employee wages, inventory management, and for working capital. Loans have a zero percent interest rate and a 6 to 12-month deferment before the first payment is due. The loan term is not to exceed five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo be a qualified applicant for the BCLF, businesses must:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe an existing for-profit corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or non-profit with for-profit activities in the city of Atlanta that contributes to trade.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe current on all financial obligations related to the lease or mortgage agreement for the business.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave 50 or fewer full-time employees, i.e., employees working at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave been in operations for 1 year\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave a current City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe current on all City of Atlanta taxes and fees.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25 percent of businesses do not open again after a major disaster. Additionally, following a disaster, 90 percent of smaller companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore information on the BCLF program and qualifications can be found \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/bclf\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":322,"title":"New Predevelopment Assistance Fund Launching this Year","promo_title":"New Predevelopment Assistance Fund Launching this Year","published_date":"2020-02-26","featured_image":{"id":1109,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"87063552_3091484454217785_6921540299462279168_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":120060,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-26T14:26:05.869-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-02-26T14:26:05.913-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:32.723-04:00","filename_hash":"87063552_3091484454217785_6921540299462279168_o_oM8nN6r.jpg","width":1280,"height":853},"filename":"ia-approves-new-predevelopment-assistance-fund-program-within-tad-areas","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"RoF-kA","created_at":"2020-02-26T14:28:54.176-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:32.704-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has approved the establishment of a new fund to assist smaller project developers seeking to develop or significantly rehabilitate affordable workforce housing and neighborhood-scale commercial property within three Tax Allocation Districts (\u0026ldquo;TAD\u0026rdquo;).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Predevelopment Assistance Fund aims to provide resources strategically to help ameliorate identified obstacles to real estate development and economic vibrancy in the Perry-Bolton TAD, Westside TAD, and Campbellton Road TAD areas.\u0026nbsp; The majority of services the fund is expected to provide to projects fall into the following categories: Feasibility and Financial Analysis, Design Services, and Cost Estimation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has authorized a Perry-Bolton grant as well as a Westside TAD grant, each of up to $1,000,000, for predevelopment assistance loans in the respective redevelopment areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program will provide both for-profit and non-profit small developers with needed and necessary funding to advance their projects towards construction and development. Predevelopment assistance loans will be available to two types of projects, dependent upon size.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fund is expected to launch in Q2 2020. \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e for information on Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s TAD programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":320,"title":"First Small Business Improvement Grant Approved for Commercial Property in Mechanicsville ","promo_title":"Talon Plumbing to receive first Small Business Improvement Grant ","published_date":"2020-02-24","featured_image":{"id":1107,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"istock-929926146.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":5775286,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-25T17:59:01.571-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-02-25T17:59:02.448-05:00","updated_at":"2020-02-25T18:00:58.899-05:00","filename_hash":"istock-929926146_eXjDkv3.jpg","width":3835,"height":2597},"filename":"first-small-business-improvement-grant-approved-for-commercial-property-in-mechanicsville","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SnlLLQ","created_at":"2020-02-24T11:46:21.348-05:00","updated_at":"2020-02-25T18:00:58.860-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved the first allocation from the Small Business Improvement Grant, a new program launched in November 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTalon Plumbing Services, LLC, located at 730 Pryor Street SW, will receive an amount up to $20,000 to finance improvements to its commercial property in the Stadium Neighborhoods TAD and Mechanicsville neighborhood. It will also receive an amount up to $10,000 from the NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant program to finance additional improvements to the property. The NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant program was created in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Talon Plumbing Services, LLC, recently relocated from Dekalb County to the city of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Small Business Improvement Grant to utilize available tax increment to strengthen local businesses by providing matching grants toward the improvement of commercial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDetails of the program can be found\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-improvement-grants\"\u003e here\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":318,"title":"Community Loan Fund Program Launches to Help Atlanta Small Business Owners","promo_title":"Community Loan Fund Officially Launches to Assist Small Businesses ","published_date":"2020-02-06","featured_image":{"id":453,"parent_id":35,"resource_file_name":"spottedtrotter.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":138669,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-08T13:48:43.119-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-01-08T13:48:43.264-05:00","updated_at":"2020-06-22T15:59:50.179-04:00","filename_hash":"spottedtrotter_YBqXNBn.jpg","width":662,"height":460},"filename":"community-loan-fund-program-launches-to-help-atlanta-small-business-owners","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gtyL2A","created_at":"2020-02-06T10:15:04.421-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:52:25.358-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn January 29, 2020, a new opportunity for small businesses in Atlanta officially launched. The goal of the Community Loan Fund program, established under Invest Atlanta in collaboration with Councilmember Antonio Brown on behalf of the City of Atlanta, is to support small business development and equip additional small business owners with the tools needed to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Brown, of District 3, explained details of the loan program: \u0026ldquo;This loan allows credit disadvantaged small businesses to borrow up to $50,000 for the three percent interest rate, a three-month deferment on the payment of the loan, and they can utilize up to $30,000 to pay down their personal debt that they leveraged to sustain their business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/mayor-bottoms-introduces-community-loan-fund-legislation\"\u003eThe legislation was initially introduced\u003c/a\u003e by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms back in July 2019. Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President CEO of Invest Atlanta, offered praise for the loan program: \u0026ldquo;The\u0026nbsp;Community Loan Fund will allow small business owners to begin building for their future. Having another new tool in our toolkit will allow the City of Atlanta to support even more of our entrepreneurs as they work to achieve their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses are the heart of our economy,\u0026rdquo; said Brown. \u0026ldquo;They hire every day working people, so we have to as a city continue to lift them up and provide them access to capital to be able to move their businesses forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBusiness owners can learn more about the various loan programs \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/get-started\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e or sign up to attend one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/about-us/events/small-business-loan-seminar-2-26-2020\"\u003eSmall Business Loan Seminars\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":317,"title":"Highly Successful Second Year Points to Growth of Students2Startups Program in 2020","promo_title":"Students2Startups Looks Forward to Promising Year Three","published_date":"2020-01-30","featured_image":{"id":1096,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"img_1567.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1574236,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.828-05:00","caption":"Students2Startups","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.935-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.668-05:00","filename_hash":"img_1567_JjEYNne.jpg","width":3520,"height":1980},"filename":"highly-successful-second-year-points-to-growth-of-students2startups-program-in-2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yRf6BA","created_at":"2020-01-30T20:47:32.722-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.646-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is a city with a reputation for being a leader in high-tech sector jobs and commerce. Students2Startups\u0026nbsp;is a mentoring program helping the city of Atlanta reinforce this status and retain some of the city\u0026rsquo;s top talent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups began in 2018 as an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms who, together with Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta, wanted to help continue to build Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech talent pipeline.\u0026nbsp; Invest Atlanta manages the program and, last year alone, paired 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups.\u0026nbsp; Atlanta-based students are subsidized through the City of Atlanta to complete full-time, paid Summer internships in a wide array of entrepreneurial settings including tech development, business development, and marketing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile interns benefit through hands-on experience with projects in a variety of areas, there also exist enormous benefits to startups as they are given motivated, hard-working students to help their startups grow and flourish.\u0026nbsp; Over the course of three years, S2S will impact nearly 75 Atlanta tech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program has earned high acclaim from past participants. Ernesto Escobar, CEO of FanaticusXR, praised the program: \u0026ldquo;The Students2Startups program is fantastic. We were able to work with two talented and motivated students that we wouldn\u0026#39;t have been able to afford full-time over the Summer. They made tremendous contributions to the company\u0026#39;s technology and culture. We liked them so much that we kept both of them after the program was over.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCabrice Corporation is another startup greatly assisted through participation in the program. Marcus A. Walker, Director of Business Operations \u0026amp; Finance with Cabrice Corporation, remarked: \u0026quot;We\u0026#39;ve been working with the Students2Startups program now for a couple years and absolutely love it. Like most start-ups, we don\u0026#39;t lack in work, but we\u0026#39;re always needing capable people to fill out our teams. S2S consistently puts high-end talent in our office that is ready to learn and get work done. Atlanta is a hot bed for young talent, and S2S does an amazing job helping startups get connected with these individuals.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is currently gearing up for its third season, to be held in the Summer 2020.\u0026nbsp; Both prospective students and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":310,"title":"First Cohort of 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator Graduates","promo_title":"First Cohort of 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator Graduates","published_date":"2019-12-15","featured_image":{"id":1073,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"guild_cohort.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":941800,"resource_updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:06.182-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:06.271-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:18:00.349-05:00","filename_hash":"guild_cohort_lpDO93v.jpg","width":2048,"height":2048},"filename":"first-cohort-of-2019-community-wealth-building-accelerator-graduates","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5y_u6g","created_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:21.940-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:18:00.308-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and The Guild announced the graduation of the first cohort for the 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator, the first component of the Accelerate Southside small business development program.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and The Guild announced the graduation of the first cohort for the 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator, the first component of the Accelerate Southside small business development program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Guild\u0026rsquo;s first cohort for the Community Wealth Building Accelerator consisted of 21 minority-owned businesses primarily in the Food \u0026amp; Beverage, Health, Beauty \u0026amp; Wellness, and Apparel \u0026amp; Home Decor sectors. The businesses ranged in annual revenue from $40,000 to $5 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe cohort learned advanced business fundamentals to boost the profitability of their businesses, real estate basics so they can acquire commercial real estate in rapidly gentrifying parts of the City, and new economic models that will allow them to build community wealth. Each business will also have access to peer coaches and shared back-office services.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCohort I consisted of 21 minority-owned businesses, primarily in the food and beverage, beauty and wellness, and apparel and home d\u0026eacute;cor sectors. Learn more about the members \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguild.community/cohort-1\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccelerate Southside is a two-part pilot program that includes an immersive business accelerator training offered by The Guild (2019 Community Wealth Building Business Accelerator) and a commercial down payment assistance pilot program that is currently under development by Invest Atlanta. With a focus on the 30-acre Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade; development located on the Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail, the down payment assistance pilot program will support entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a shipping container for their business and locating it at the Pittsburgh Yards Shipping Container Garden.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecently, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Wells Fargo, the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship have come on as partners of the program. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and Wells Fargo have provided grant funding to assist with program operations, and the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be the host location for all classes, events, and cohort graduation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta would join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, and receive $100,000 in grant funding to support small businesses and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative, Accelerate Southside, will help address major challenges faced by minority-owned businesses and further provide more access to opportunities for more Atlantans\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":305,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Southside Small Business Resource Fair","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Southside Small Business Resource Fair","published_date":"2019-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1066,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"southside_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1400820,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-20T13:27:51.925-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-20T13:27:52.063-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:01:58.844-05:00","filename_hash":"southside_event_E6Woe9n.png","width":1200,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-unveils-new-resources-for-southside-small-businesses-at-resource-fair","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w9QCQw","created_at":"2019-11-20T13:28:16.016-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:01:58.805-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted the Southside Small Business Fair in November 2019 to educate businesses on new programs, tools, and resources available to them.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted the Southside Small Business Fair (SSBF) in November 2019 to educate businesses on new programs, tools, and resources available to them.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany of our partners participated as exhibitors\u0026mdash;including the SBA, SBDC, and bank partners\u0026mdash;and attendees the opportunity to learn about catalytic commercial properties where there may be space for small businesses. During the event, Invest Atlanta announced the new \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-improvement-grants\"\u003eSmall Business Improvement Grants\u003c/a\u003e program. Small businesses and property owners in five City of Atlanta Tax Allocation District (TADs) can apply for forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for interior and exterior improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis announcement is another example of the City\u0026rsquo;s commitment to equitable opportunity in small business and entrepreneurship, and we would be honored to have the Mayor make the announcement during the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is estimated than more than 3,000 businesses are in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside.\u0026nbsp; To cultivate business growth and prevent business displacement, businesses need access to a variety of resources, including technical assistance, access to capital, and employment services to successfully grow.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s an important economic development initiative for Southside communities and the city as a whole to ensure equitable development, and the Southside has many assets to accelerate economic growth. The areas of our city located south of I-20 are poised for more growth as catalytic projects like the Southside Atlanta BeltLine Trail, Pittsburgh Yards, and the redevelopment of Fort McPherson come online. Neighborhoods south of Downtown are in a unique position to capitalize on increased economic activity in the area. This initiative is a way we can redouble our efforts to nurture business activity to create new jobs and economic opportunities for the communities they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn November 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced new resources to assist Atlanta small businesses, including naming the city\u0026rsquo;s first Southside Community and Economic Development Manager, including Small Business Improvement Grants for Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown, as well as the Campbellton Road Renovation Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003eAccelerate Southsid\u003c/a\u003ee Commercial Pilot in June 2019 comprised of an immersive technical assistance program offered by The Guild and a Commercial Down Payment Assistance Program to cultivate hyper-local, hyper-native small businesses. Nearly 100 businesses applied, 50 businesses were interviewed, and 21 selected for the program. The program assists in activating Pittsburgh Yards, redevelopment site sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, by supporting businesses interested in locating in a shipping container on the site\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":307,"title":"TAD Funds to Support Goodwill of North Georgia's New Career Center in Atlanta ","promo_title":"TAD Funds to Support Goodwill of North Georgia's New Career Center in Atlanta ","published_date":"2019-11-21","featured_image":{"id":1068,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"goodwill_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1078421,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.641-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.791-05:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T08:25:20.787-04:00","filename_hash":"goodwill_insights_zmKa8yX.png","width":1200,"height":725},"filename":"tad-funds-to-support-goodwill-of-north-georgias-new-career-center-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9qatzw","created_at":"2019-11-22T09:00:48.259-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:00:48.259-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors recently approved up to $150,000 from the Metropolitan Parkway TAD to support the construction of the Goodwill Job Training Center and Retail Store.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors recently approved up to $150,000 from the Metropolitan Parkway TAD to support the construction of the Goodwill Job Training Center and Retail Store.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoodwill of North Georgia will transform an empty parcel into a state-of-the-art Center for Workforce Innovation, consisting of a job training center and community space, alongside a\u0026nbsp; retail space. This will serve as Goodwill\u0026rsquo;s first career center within the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center for Workforce Innovation will work with local partner agencies to impact the economic mobility of southside Atlanta residents, meeting the increased demand for job training and placement services in high-growth sectors of the changing economy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoodwill\u0026rsquo;s job programs provide people who are having trouble finding work, those wanting to change careers in need of skill development, and people with disabilities with access to job training and career resources. The donated goods retail operation creates jobs for individuals with barriers to employment and subsidized employment options for job training program participants, resulting in connecting 8,000 individuals with employment each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis location will also create 50 full time and five part time positions, both professional and entry-level.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":303,"title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","published_date":"2019-11-14","featured_image":{"id":1060,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"eie_2019_awards.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":15847090,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.383-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.999-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-25T08:48:28.218-05:00","filename_hash":"eie_2019_awards_W1Menjv.jpg","width":5557,"height":3708},"filename":"invest-atlanta-honors-local-entrepreneurs-at-excellence-in-entrepreneurship-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CT7HMQ","created_at":"2019-11-14T10:19:56.954-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:27:14.594-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This annual gathering celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and the impact that Atlanta small businesses make everyday in creating jobs for residents and economic investment across the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Behind every small business there is an entrepreneur with a dream. I am proud that for more than 40 years, Invest Atlanta has helped so many entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams through our programs. These programs help level the playing field for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and invest in people bringing new business activity to our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta began hosting the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards, formerly named the Excellence in Small Business Awards, in 2017 to showcase Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community and provide an opportunity for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the city to connect. This year, the program was expanded with additional awards and recognized the role that small businesses play in fostering equity in Atlanta communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t think there\u0026rsquo;s a better place to be than Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Ryan Wilson, CEO and Founder of The Gathering Spot. Wilson was the keynote speaker for the event, and offered advice to other current and aspiring entrepenerus at the ceremony in a Q \u0026amp; A style keynote with Councilmember Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Small ideas will keep you small. Get the best possible versions of your ideas out there.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses contribute much more than the products, services, and jobs they provide. They bring communities together and shape the identity of our neighborhoods. They are examples of economic opportunity and a pathway to wealth creation,\u0026rdquo; said Lonnie Saboor, Director of Small Business Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 Excellence in Entrepreneurship award recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommercial Development Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Regenia Marble\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Burk\u0026rsquo;s Jewelers (District 5)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Profile Enterprises (District 11)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellence in Longevity\u003c/strong\u003e: DJP Properties\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForever I Love Atlanta Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Atlanta Influences Everything\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFranchise Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: JRC Monger Inc. d/b/a JR Crickets\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturing Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Cultured South\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedia Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Story First Creative Agency\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShining Startup\u003c/strong\u003e: Steady\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthside Champion\u003c/strong\u003e: System 5 Electronics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrailblazer Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Goodr\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoman of Influence\u003c/strong\u003e: Skylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured a live pitch competition for four local startups. Participants included Backyard ATL, Pelooc, Mid City, and Musicb\u0026uuml;k. The winner, MusicB\u0026uuml;k, was selected through audience participation and received a $5,000 prize courtesy of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., LISC Atlanta, and Wharton Law. Winning startup MusicB\u0026uuml;k uses artificial intelligence to connect music instructors to students, and is projected to generate $16 million in revenue by 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea of \u0026lsquo;Excellence in Entrepreneurship\u0026rsquo; embodies more than just a successful business. It recognizes the hard work, determination, courage, and leadership that it takes to be an entrepreneur,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is often a last resort for business owners who\u0026rsquo;ve been turned down by banks unwilling to believe in them. But we believe every small business idea can be a big opportunity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has grown its direct loan programs for small businesses from one program with a loan limit of $15,000, to nine programs with a loan capacity of up to $100,000. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $13 million in 216 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $42.3 million in capital.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":304,"title":"First Step Staffing Receives $3 Million Loan","promo_title":"First Step Staffing Receives $3 Million Loan","published_date":"2019-11-13","featured_image":{"id":1065,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"staffing_impact_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1066228,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:46:48.786-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-18T09:46:48.867-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.542-05:00","filename_hash":"staffing_impact_2_DNw7J1W.png","width":1200,"height":829},"filename":"first-step-staffing-receives-3-million-loan","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vkaxyg","created_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.496-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.496-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) closed this month on a $3 million loan to support First Step Staffing, a non-profit staffing agency that helps employ people with barriers to workforce re-entry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) closed this month on a $3 million loan to support First Step Staffing, a non-profit staffing agency that helps employ people with barriers to workforce re-entry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 2007, First Step Staffing is a non-profit alternative staffing company that specializes in finding job opportunities for the homeless, military veterans, and individuals who have been previously incarcerated.\u0026nbsp; Their goal is to help homeless workers become permanent members of the workforce, providing them the first step out of homelessness. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery day, they place approximately 200 homeless men and women in job assignments and provide additional job and life coaching, transportation, and housing assistance.\u0026nbsp; Their clients come from strong referral partners, including the United Way, Goodwill and MUST Ministries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFirst Step Staffing also provides workers with the necessary support to ensure success and improve retention. Support activities include providing uniforms, transportation, and skills coaching. Since 2007, FSS has helped over 2,000 homeless individuals re-enter the workforce. Seventy percent of FSS workers have retained employment after 90 days (vs. the industry average of 50%) and over 30% of the current associates are US veterans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe loan will be used for working capital to support the business\u0026rsquo; growth as they ramp up services locally and scaling nationally.\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e is providing $1 million of the $3 million loan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":302,"title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","promo_title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","published_date":"2019-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1007,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"article_request_form.docx.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1255695,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.520-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.999-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.119-04:00","filename_hash":"article_request_form.docx_jpMv5bV.png","width":1200,"height":643},"filename":"monica-hooks-named-new-executive-director-of-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fD4gtQ","created_at":"2019-10-21T13:22:28.226-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies. Hooks brings more than 20 years of marketing and business development experience to the position with deep expertise in new media, entertainment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs WEI Executive Director, she will lead the WEI program, including the strategic direction, administration, and day-to-day activities of the organization with oversight from Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s CEO and the WEI board of directors. Hooks will develop, manage, and execute programs and initiatives that support the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship with a keen focus on launching the program\u0026rsquo;s third cohort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe will also be responsible for key areas such as innovation policy, entrepreneur workforce programs, women entrepreneurship, financial capacity building, and entrepreneur retention and entrepreneur development throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a national leader in female entrepreneurship, and our region is home to more than 200,000 women-owned businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As that number continues to grow, we want to provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Since the City of Atlanta became the first city to fund and launch an incubator like WEI, we have supported dozens of successful women entrepreneurs. We will continue to do so under the guidance of Monica Hooks.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the board, I am very pleased to welcome Monica to WEI,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As an accomplished entrepreneur herself, she has the expertise and experience required to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of women entrepreneurs. The WEI Board is proud of the work we have done so far to level the playing field, and looking ahead, we are so happy to have a leader like Monica Hooks push the WEI mission forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, roughly 40 percent of businesses are women-owned, yet female entrepreneurs must still overcome social and economic barriers many of their male peers do not face,\u0026rdquo; said Grace Fricks, President and CEO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a city committed to supporting all its entrepreneurs, and I look forward to working closely with Monica to help more women launch successful businesses and grow our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Hooks was CEO of m-oracle LLC d/b/a The Marketing Oracle, a marketing innovation agency offering strategy and market research.\u0026nbsp; The firm has leveraged marketing data to garner partnerships with companies like Reservoir Media, Epic Records, I Am Other, Grand Hustle and William Morris Endeavor, and placements with brands like NBA.TV, Samsung, Playstation, and Disney Interactive.\u0026nbsp; m-oracle LLC is a graduate of the WEI inaugural class and winner of the 2017 Microsoft Innovation Bots and Cognitive Services award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am thrilled to join the Invest Atlanta team to support women founders and small business owners throughout the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hooks. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the past success WEI has had as an incubator empowering our entrepreneurs and providing the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHooks also brings with her years of marketing experience she gained at Sony Music Entertainment, where she held product management, international marketing and business affairs roles.\u0026nbsp; At Sony, Hooks was responsible for brands focused on youth culture and early social media influencers. Hooks received her bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree from Dartmouth College in government where she earned the Dean\u0026rsquo;s Award. She received her M.B.A. from The Wharton School with concentrations in international marketing, finance, and entrepreneurial management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI will begin accepting applications in November 2019 for its next cohort of women entrepreneurs. Information and application forms will be available at www.weiatlanta.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":299,"title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","published_date":"2019-10-15","featured_image":{"id":1010,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"iedc_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1297724,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:14.585-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:15.125-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.163-04:00","filename_hash":"iedc_award_kb5b4M6.png","width":1200,"height":719},"filename":"invest-atlanta-receives-top-awards-from-iedc","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iaKF_w","created_at":"2019-10-16T14:38:56.198-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.125-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis. IEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Students2Startups program and a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Annual Report category.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It means so much to have our industry leadership recognized in this way,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In its second year, Students2Startups has opened the door to career opportunities for more than 34 students while further strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s robust tech talent pipeline. I hope that other cities around the world can look at what we\u0026rsquo;ve done here and replicate the success we\u0026rsquo;ve had subsidizing these high-quality entrepreneurial internships.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year\u0026#39;s most influential leaders. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 400 submissions from 12 countries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The recipients of IEDC\u0026rsquo;s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,\u0026rdquo; said 2019 IEDC Board Chair, Tracye McDaniel. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re honored to recognize more than 100 communities for their excellent work, which forges new opportunities for our profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2020 awards program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Innovation Programs and Initiatives\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is an initiative launched by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta to help the City of Atlanta continue to build its tech talent pipeline and equip students interested in entrepreneurship for success.\u0026nbsp; The program subsidizes high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies.\u0026nbsp; The program also helps to retain more of Atlanta\u0026#39;s top talent in the city. More than 60 students and startups participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 2018 Annual Report, \u0026ldquo;For a Thriving Atlanta\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Annual Report\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn its \u003ca href=\"/about-us/statements-records\"\u003e2018 annual report\u003c/a\u003e, Invest Atlanta sought to convey the greater purpose of the agency, the essence of the Invest Atlanta brand, and core value propositions through stories of the residents, businesses and communities it serves. The report used an intuitive visual narrative for each audience, presented personal vignettes, and leveraged iconography and other graphic techniques so readers could easily locate specific content.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":297,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Appoints New Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta","promo_title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Appoints New Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta","published_date":"2019-10-14","featured_image":{"id":1019,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"katerina-taylor-insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":695975,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:16.143-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:16.217-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:36.015-04:00","filename_hash":"katerina-taylor-insights_4Xgp7Bn.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-appoints-new-executive-director-of-worksource-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Xo5R_A","created_at":"2019-10-14T08:43:18.357-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:35.966-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Katerina Taylor has been named Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta \u0026ndash; the City\u0026rsquo;s workforce agency that provides job seekers with resources to attain sustainable employment.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Katerina Taylor has been named Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta \u0026ndash; the City\u0026rsquo;s workforce agency that provides job seekers with resources to attain sustainable employment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we build One Atlanta, we want to create and sustain a skilled workforce that reflects all Atlantans,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Katerina\u0026rsquo;s background and expertise will play an integral role in expanding our workforce development efforts, connecting our communities with training and career opportunities. I am proud to welcome her to the City and look forward to her direction and leadership.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn June 25th, the Mayor announced that WorkSource Atlanta would be integrating with Invest Atlanta, further unifying the City\u0026rsquo;s economic and workforce development strategies. During this time, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed Kimberlyn Daniel to serve as interim Executive Director of WorkSource to establish a strategic plan for the WIOA grant programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Thank you Kimberlyn for strengthening our programs so that we may continue to provide a public pipeline of local, talented workers,\u0026rdquo; said Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;As we continue the integration process with WorkSource Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, I am excited to welcome Katerina to our team. Her leadership and experience will complement the existing strengths of the WorkSource Atlanta and Invest Atlanta teams.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaterina Taylor brings over 20 years of experience in business and government. Most recently, she served as the first woman President \u0026amp; CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in its 81-year history. She was responsible for the development and implementation of programs related to economic expansion including workforce development, education, advocacy and business partnership. As a skilled business development professional, Taylor served as Vice President of SunTrust Bank from 2003-2012. During her time at SunTrust, she successfully designed and executed business growth and development strategies and created and facilitated training programs for more than 500 regional and local Vice Presidents. As Chair of the DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee, Taylor led the county\u0026rsquo;s strategic plan to improve the business climate, enhance quality of place, and revitalize commercial corridors and employment centers in DeKalb. She holds a bachelor\u0026#39;s degree (BBA) in Marketing from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas; and holds an MBA in Finance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am honored to serve the City,\u0026rdquo; said Taylor. \u0026ldquo;I am excited to bring my experience from the Metro Atlanta area, and work with partners across the City to strengthen our workforce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is responsible for programs and services within the City of Atlanta as part of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The agency works with numerous community partners to provide career, educational and training services to help participants find quality jobs and, in turn, greater financial stability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaterina\u0026rsquo;s appointment is effective October 28th.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":296,"title":"Atlanta Problem-Solvers Awarded $200,000 Through Civic Impact Loan Fund","promo_title":"Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc., Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, and the Center for Civic Innovation Continue Support of Civic Problem-Solvers","published_date":"2019-09-24","featured_image":{"id":1003,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a4277.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":6790373,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:23.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:24.601-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:31.794-04:00","filename_hash":"151a4277_1O9jvNw.jpg","width":5760,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-emerging-markets-inc-spanx-by-sara-blakely-foundation-and-the-center-for-civic-innovation-continue-support-of-civic-problem-solvers","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fXNfIA","created_at":"2019-09-24T09:31:02.201-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:17.044-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest\u0026nbsp;loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud to continue supporting\u0026nbsp;civic-minded businesses and those working on the front lines to make a positive\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;on other people\u0026rsquo;s lives,\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, President of AEMI. \u0026ldquo;These outstanding entrepreneurs are not only bringing new business ideas to life, but they are also showing their commitment to creating equity in our underserved communities. I wish each of these entrepreneurs continued success and admire their dedication to making Atlanta a greater city for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 with a mission to support and empower women through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The contribution from the Sara Blakely Foundation ensured that at least $100,000 of the\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;went to women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person, not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, Founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their\u0026nbsp;impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation each contributed $100,000 to\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs. The applicants selected to receive the $200,000 in total\u0026nbsp;funding are\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners, The Showcase Group, Brown Toy Box, and SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company). All four of the entrepreneurs leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development, and coaching program for\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support, with loan servicing and back office support provided by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;problem solvers represent the greatest assets of our economy,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations.\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJenn Graham |\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;aims to help create a more inclusive world where everyone feels invited and engaged in co-creating a better future by bringing people together over food for conversations that matter.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Kennebrew | The Showcase Group\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to strengthen justice-involved youth and families through psychological and personal development services inside and out of juvenile detention centers. Showcase Group provides support to incarcerated youth and their families by implementing psychosocial services such as advocacy and family and individual therapy by trained professionals.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerri Nichelle-Bradley | Brown Toy Box\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;produces children\u0026#39;s products and exposure experiences designed to encourage and prepare black children to pursue interests and careers in STEAM.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrish Miller | SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company)\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;is a 501(c)(3) school-based program that teaches children introductory swimming lessons and water safety skills as a part of their school\u0026#39;s curriculum. The William Pleshette Company, Swem Kids\u0026#39; for-profit entity, is designing and testing a fully waterproof swimming cap to keep thick and curly hair dry in the water and address a cultural obstacle to swimming.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This contribution is really going to take The Showcase Group to the next level,\u0026rdquo; said John Kennebrew, Executive Director and Founder of The Showcase Group. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026#39;ve grown from working with two youth out of the detention center to working with one hundred youth this year. Now, we\u0026#39;re able to put a Program Director in place to manage the logistics of working with the clinical social workers, advocates, and other community members who help to strengthen the youth we work with. It\u0026rsquo;s a great relief to now have someone who can manage the day to day relationships, while I can focus on taking the organization to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its third year of operation, the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund\u0026nbsp;has provided $455,000 to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in many different\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":289,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","published_date":"2019-08-28","featured_image":{"id":988,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1827833,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.536-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.946-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.954-04:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_insight_zmEDVRZ.png","width":1200,"height":707},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-invest-atlanta-and-marta-open-ivillage-mlk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PqmpMg","created_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta provides space for small business and entrepreneurship adjacent to transit.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA announced the grand opening of the iVillage @ MLK. The project houses a mix of local entrepreneurs in innovative office space to help them launch businesses and test new ideas along the MLK Corridor. The iVillage @ MLK is the first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta and a model for future innovation spaces in the city.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAnnounced in December 2017, iVillage @ MLK houses eight small businesses that are expected to create approximately 20-25 jobs along MLK Drive. The shipping container development is designed to give small businesses the opportunity to grow and scale in an underserved community. By providing an affordable, transit-oriented office and retail option for local entrepreneurs, iVillage @ MLK aims to create a unique, equitable opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a business in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To build thriving neighborhoods, communities, and businesses throughout the city, we need to think creatively about how we utilize space and ensure it serves the needs of our neighborhoods and residents,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is a great example of partners coming together to create a place that brings opportunity and vibrancy to this community. Entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business ecosystem, and we are excited to be providing an opportunity for them to grow and become job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough this is the first project of its kind in the City of Atlanta, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities including Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new, affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is more than a new place for small businesses to locate, it is part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment and equity to key commercial corridors throughout the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Locating the iVillage @ MLK within the community and adjacent to rapid transit creates a sense of place and connectivity for residents and iVillage tenants alike. It exemplifies how we can work in partnership to create economic opportunities and places where entrepreneurs can build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eiVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort to continue investing in Westside communities, especially along the MLK Drive Corridor. In 2016, the city was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers, and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":290,"title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","promo_title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","published_date":"2019-08-27","featured_image":{"id":991,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_ceremony.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1238796,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.548-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.620-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.308-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_ceremony_ymYmOvr.png","width":1200,"height":530},"filename":"class-2-of-students2startup-recognized-by-mayor-bottoms","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kwy4MQ","created_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Students2Startups program is a great example of how the City of Atlanta is working to increase equity in our city is by equipping more younger Atlantans for success. The program is a partnership between the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, Startup Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta which places students in entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta-based startup companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNot only does it provide opportunities for experiential learning, but it also supports Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community and helps to keep young talent here in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMore than 150 students from across Atlanta applied to the program, and 20 were matched with local startups \u0026ndash; with an emphasis on students with high potential and those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the most diverse cohort yet:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOver 77 percent of participants in 2019 were people of color;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eA majority of the participating startups are led by female founders.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese high-achieving students, representing schools like Clark Atlanta, Georgia State, Spelman, and Georgia Tech, to name a few, received invaluable startup experience in areas like business development, coding, marketing, and data analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo date, over 60 students and startups have participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs year two comes to a close, Invest Atlanta is happy to announce that several students will be continuing their internship in fall and at least 1 student will be joining their company full time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the companies that participated this year:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eActivvely\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCapway\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarbice\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCompetitive Sports Analysis\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCoordinated Care\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCurricula\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEnrichHER\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFanaticusXR\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonotto\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOmode\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSkylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSmall Bites Adventure Club\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStackfolio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSwemKids\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Lola\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTry My Fab\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":284,"title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","promo_title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","published_date":"2019-08-06","featured_image":{"id":946,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"egypt_screencap_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":689650,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.201-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.279-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:53.092-04:00","filename_hash":"egypt_screencap_insight_lpm45Je.png","width":1200,"height":613},"filename":"creative-industries-loan-to-support-black-men-naked-truth-production","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7DMypg","created_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/352250178","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. Robinson created Change a Man Media to help redefine human images. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Anybody who sees the movies, books, TV shows, and articles are typically coming from someone else about us,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;What ends up happening is that there\u0026rsquo;s a whole new narrative about who we are, what we do, why we do what we do, and it doesn\u0026rsquo;t come from us.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;So I wanted to create something that when you leave, you got excited. You left and you said, \u0026ldquo;Yeah, that was awesome! That\u0026rsquo;s me, he\u0026rsquo;s talking about me.\u0026rsquo; And every one of my shows, it\u0026rsquo;s the same reaction. Brothers come up, hug me, some crying. Because they\u0026rsquo;ve never seen anything about them that wasn\u0026rsquo;t derogatory, that didn\u0026rsquo;t demean them, that didn\u0026rsquo;t make them feel emasculated. It let them feel like what they need to feel: encouraged.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will be providing a $35,000 loan for the production, post-production, and distribution to make Devin\u0026rsquo;s one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Black Men: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; into a film. This stage play portrays the unique talent of one man who portrays seven distinct characters. This stage play has had multiple sold-out shows since its inception in 2014. In 2017, Black Men: Naked Truth was invited to the National Black Theatre Festival.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With the funding from Invest Atlanta, I promoting, I use it to promote the show, to film the show, and then once the show\u0026rsquo;s filmed, we now pay for commercials to promote it because if you put it on Amazon or whoever purchases it we then promote it all across Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;And then we also use part of the funding to pitch it to different film festivals and also to the American film market to see if someone like Netflix or Amazon wants\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;to pick it up so that way we can make even more of an impact because now it\u0026rsquo;s on TV.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson has written, acted in, produced and executive produced many films. He gained his stage name \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; from his role on the hit OWN series \u0026ldquo;Love Is.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;He has received international acclaim dedication for the following projects \u0026ldquo;Black Man: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Tranquil Inferno\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;5 Steps to Get Over Your Ex.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe has dedicated himself to providing high-quality education through the medium of media started in 2006 with the birth of AIDS Awareness Poets Inc., an organization created to educate people about HIV through entertainment. From there, he created Change A Man Media LLC to create positive images of African-Americans. His professional journey has also included stops on BET, OWN, MTV, Apollo and TEDx.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson added: \u0026ldquo;That process of applying for this loan was a beautiful process because it taught me a lot about business, and I pride myself on being an entrepreneur, and not just being part of the show but the business part of show business. And I learned a lot.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think this was just a beautiful process. And nothing was overdone, there was no extra work for no apparent reason. Everything was right on point and everyone was so professional.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":283,"title":"Atlanta Part of Rockefeller Foundation’s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative","promo_title":"Atlanta Part of Rockefeller Foundation’s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative","published_date":"2019-08-01","featured_image":{"id":939,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"foz_event_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1222085,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-01T14:00:11.851-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-01T14:00:11.921-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-02T14:22:48.190-04:00","filename_hash":"foz_event_2_kbmvg6y.png","width":1200,"height":593},"filename":"atlanta-named-newest-city-in-rockefeller-foundations-opportunity-zone-community-capacity-building-initiative","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0TYDsQ","created_at":"2019-08-01T14:01:24.795-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-02T14:22:48.152-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will become the second city to participate in The Rockefeller Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative. The initiative, which launched in May 2019, aims to help U.S. cities attract responsible private investment in economically-distressed communities through Opportunity Zones created in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will become the second city to participate in The Rockefeller Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative. The initiative, which launched in May 2019, aims to help U.S. cities attract responsible private investment in economically-distressed communities through Opportunity Zones created in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones are an exciting new tool for building economic development in underserved communities,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;These grants will help guide us as we implement the program to maximize the benefits of job creation and neighborhood improvement in the most vulnerable areas of our city. Thank you to the Rockefeller Foundation for this commitment that will advance equity citywide, as we continue to build One Atlanta, and provide a level playing field for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, which has more than 82,000 residents living in 26 designated Opportunity Zones, will receive $920,000 in grants and supportive services, including a $400,000 grant to establish and fund a Chief Opportunity Zone Officer embedded in Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority. Funding will also support the placement of two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) members who will facilitate community involvement in proposed Opportunity Zone projects and businesses; and technical assistance to help develop project pipelines that balance the interests of investors with those of existing community members.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones are the first federal incentive for community development in 15 years and a unique opportunity to leverage private capital to help achieve Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic and community development goals,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been a first mover in the city with Opportunity Zones and partnerships with the Rockefeller Foundation and Cities of Service will help us further the goal of bringing meaningful investment and greater equity to our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the wealth gap in the United States continues to widen, we recognize how a zip code impacts the economic opportunities for a community and its residents,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta has shown strong commitment to ensuring investment in its Opportunity Zones are designed with the most vulnerable in mind, and we are pleased to provide additional support to ultimately lift up these communities by enabling new pathways to economic mobility.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rockefeller Foundation also announced it will award a $600,000 grant to Cities of Service, an independent nonprofit organization that helps mayors build stronger, more vibrant cities by changing the way local government and citizens work together. Cities of Service will provide Atlanta and five other cities participating in the Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones initiative with technical assistance and two AmeriCorps VISTA members who will lead and manage community engagement efforts in each city. Through this effort, Cites of Service will help selected cities achieve positive economic and social outcomes for their communities through community-informed Opportunity Zone efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about Opportunity Zones in the City of Atlanta, including development projects seeking investment, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlopportunityzones.com\"\u003ewww.atlopportunityzones.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":282,"title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","published_date":"2019-07-22","featured_image":{"id":933,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":936521,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.561-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.693-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.578-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights_7JNJbmL.png","width":1200,"height":702},"filename":"invest-atlanta-to-develop-citys-first-economic-mobility-strategy","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sQFNNg","created_at":"2019-07-22T08:30:00.227-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u0026nbsp;Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdate:\u003c/strong\u003e The community input period is closed. We truly appreciate all the ideas and feedback from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders on this vital effort.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. The goal is to further economic development and mobility for all Atlantans by:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReviewing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s current efforts around economic mobility\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAnalyzing key factors related to access to opportunity \u0026ndash; both within Atlanta and globally\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIdentifying alignment opportunities across existing strategic frameworks\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eProviding recommendations to further Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development goals and improve economic mobility\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic mobility is the ability of an individual, family, or group to improve their economic status. In Atlanta, that starts with equity equal access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. Atlanta currently leads the nation in income inequality. There is a clear divide between wealthier, majority white communities to the north of I-20 and poorer communities to the south and west where most residents are African-American.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort. In addition, we leverage the expertise of our project partners at Bloomberg Associates, Enterprise, APD Urban Planning Management, and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe approach will be data-driven, will build on the work that has been done and create alignment rather than be duplicative, and place an emphasis on national and international best practices customized to the unique strengths and trends in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe end goal is to identify pathways and specific policy recommendations to improve economic mobility. Input from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders is vital to developing a comprehensive, inclusive strategy.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn the coming weeks and months, we will be asking your thoughts on how you would increase economic mobility in Atlanta. We look forward to hearing from you.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":280,"title":"Variotech Chooses Atlanta for North American Headquarters","promo_title":"Variotech Chooses Atlanta for North American Headquarters","published_date":"2019-07-17","featured_image":{"id":930,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"variotech_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":930158,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:46:55.106-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-17T10:46:55.180-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:49:05.756-04:00","filename_hash":"variotech_3_zmrLv4k.png","width":1200,"height":771},"filename":"variotech-chooses-atlanta-for-north-american-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jyJjhQ","created_at":"2019-07-17T10:48:11.091-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:49:05.721-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Variotech,\u0026nbsp;a world leader in tray solutions, will create 20 new jobs at a new North American headquarters in the City of Atlanta. The German manufacturer\u0026nbsp;will serve the automotive industry and electronic customer base from their new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.variotech.de/en/about-us\"\u003eVariotech\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;a world leader in tray solutions, will create 20 new jobs at a new North American headquarters in the City of Atlanta. The German manufacturer\u0026nbsp;will serve the automotive industry and electronic customer base from their new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Variotech\u0026rsquo;s choice of Atlanta for its North American headquarters represents another big win for our expanding automotive sector,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;With more than 2,600 foreign-owned businesses in the area and global connectivity through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it is no surprise to see another European company bring their North American headquarters to the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;In selecting Georgia for our North America headquarters, we are able to serve our existing customer base better and faster, and we are able to convince potential new customers with our products,\u0026rdquo; said Benedikt Fleig, President and CEO of Variotech. \u0026ldquo;We were impressed with how Georgia perfectly fits our needs to accelerate our growth.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta worked in partnership with the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Department of Economic Development\u0026#39;s Global Commerce Division on this project.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;We are excited to welcome an innovative company like Variotech to Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;Georgia has been cultivating relationships in Germany for more than 45 years, and we are thrilled that Variotech chose Atlanta to call home as they expand in the U.S. market.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":278,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Introduces Community Loan Fund Legislation","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Introduces Community Loan Fund Legislation","published_date":"2019-07-15","featured_image":{"id":926,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"kiyomi_award_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1263546,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-15T12:02:52.294-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-15T12:02:52.659-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:55:14.573-04:00","filename_hash":"kiyomi_award_2_E6zOJBy.png","width":1200,"height":641},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-introduces-community-loan-fund-legislation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IUyPcA","created_at":"2019-07-15T12:03:37.802-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:55:14.541-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In July, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced legislation that requests Invest Atlanta to establish a new Community Loan Fund designed to encourage micro and small business development within the City of Atlanta. The fund is designed to target business development that has been unserved by\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan tools\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced legislation that requests Invest Atlanta to establish a new Community Loan Fund designed to encourage micro and small business development within the City of Atlanta. The fund is designed to target business development that has been unserved by \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan tools\u003c/a\u003e. The resolution was introduced by Atlanta City Councilmember Antonio Brown in collaboration with the Bottoms Administration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If we are to attain an equitable, One Atlanta, we must build a more inclusive entrepreneurship culture in our City,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;One of the biggest hurdles facing new small businesses is simply obtaining low-cost capital investment. Women and minority-owned business are disproportionately affected by this reality, despite their returns consistently matching the market. This program is designed to provide opportunity and hope to underserved communities that empowers them to pursue their dreams and contribute to our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community Loan Fund will develop policies and guidelines to prioritize direct lending to credit-disadvantaged entrepreneurs using non-traditional underwriting standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The community loan fund will help boost the economic and social fabric of our city,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Antonio Brown, who represents District 3. \u0026ldquo;When we work together, we see the kind of transformational change that revitalizes our neighborhoods and empowers our constituents. This initiative will help provide equitable access to resources and create more opportunity, which truly benefits our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Community Loan Fund will allow small business owners to begin building for their future,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This loan program will be the first to allow recipients to restructure and pay off their existing business debts, giving them the financial flexibility to expand operations and hire more employees. Having another new tool in our toolkit will allow the City of Atlanta to support even more of our entrepreneurs as they work to achieve their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community Loan Fund is yet another step toward creating Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; vision for One Atlanta\u0026mdash;a safe and welcoming city with world-class employees, infrastructure and services, an ethical, transparent, and fiscally responsible government, thriving neighborhoods, communities, and businesses and residents who are equipped for success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":277,"title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched to Support Business Growth","promo_title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched","published_date":"2019-07-08","featured_image":{"id":924,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"accelerate_southside.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":971969,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.303-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.575-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-03T08:59:16.640-04:00","filename_hash":"accelerate_southside_p5qD75V.png","width":1200,"height":570},"filename":"accelerate-southside-program-launched-to-support-business-growth","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ADQxHA","created_at":"2019-07-08T14:52:01.591-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:54:31.027-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch Accelerate Southside, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003eAccelerate Southside\u003c/a\u003e, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta would join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, and receive $100,000 in grant funding to support small businesses and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative, Accelerate Southside, will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;With an estimated 3,300 businesses that generate $3 billion in revenue and employ more than 43,000 people, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside neighborhoods are poised for new investment and business growth,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta focuses on creating and implementing programming that supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses in our communities to create a stronger citywide economy. Accelerate Southside in partnership with The Guild is one of many ways we are working to achieve this goal and facilitate entrepreneurship in more Atlanta communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAccelerate Southside is a two-part pilot program that includes an immersive business accelerator training offered by The Guild (2019 Community Wealth Building Business Accelerator) and a commercial down payment assistance program offered by Invest Atlanta. With a focus on the 30-acre Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade; redevelopment site located on the Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail, the program will support entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a shipping container to locate at the Pittsburgh Yards Shipping Container Courtyard.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;After meeting with dozens of business owners on the Southside, it became apparent that there is a pressing need to create new programs and products to address the risk of business displacement and lack of accessible capital to start and grow businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Erika Smith, Southside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Accelerate Southside will provide technical assistance to help address those needs and challenges so that these businesses have the opportunity to grow, purchase commercial property, and establish themselves in a high-demand area. Our goal is to preserve and grow businesses who have chosen to locate in the Southside.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Guild, a co-living organization that targets social entrepreneurs and changemakers, is focused on community wealth-building strategies that aim to improve the ability of communities to increase asset ownership, anchor jobs locally, and build economic resilience.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Partnering with Invest Atlanta for Accelerate Southside allows us to address issues that are key priorities for both of our organizations and critical to the success of minority-owned small businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Nikishka Iyengar, Founder \u0026amp; CEO at The Guild. \u0026ldquo;The goal is to help these businesses boost viability and sustainability, open new locations, and to build wealth in their communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nVisit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/accelerate-southside\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;for more information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":276,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts First Creative Industries Exchange Program to Support Music Executives","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts First Creative Industries Exchange Program to Support Music Executives","published_date":"2019-06-21","featured_image":{"id":920,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"creative_exchange.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1568415,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-26T08:35:48.012-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-26T08:35:48.128-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-26T09:12:23.551-04:00","filename_hash":"creative_exchange_2arN4ne.png","width":1200,"height":587},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-first-creative-industries-exchange-program-to-support-music-executives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zLvO7A","created_at":"2019-06-26T08:37:43.121-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-26T09:12:23.516-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with City National Bank, 902 Hip Hop, The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), and Spotify Secret Genius, recently hosted the Creative Industries Exchange program to help rising leaders in the music industry acquire new knowledge and improve their leadership capacity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with City National Bank, 902 Hip Hop, The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), and Spotify Secret Genius, recently hosted the Creative Industries Exchange program to help rising leaders in the music industry acquire new knowledge and improve their leadership capacity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFour emerging music business executives from Atlanta traveled to Toronto for one week during the beginning of May, where they were able to learn from international and influential music business executives. During the week, the executives learned tactics to strengthen their businesses operations, developed new ways of thinking about business to lead with new perspectives, and gained a deeper understanding of an international music industry. In addition to the music executives, one producer and one songwriter participated in the Exchange with support from Spotify Secret Genius and City National Bank.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Not only do we want Atlanta to continue to be a launching pad for creative businesses, but we also want to be more intentional in providing the local Atlanta creative community opportunities to grow and expand with support from the city,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Hosting the Creative Industries Exchange was a first step in building a new network and creating international opportunities. As a result of the program, the executives have been able to obtain new clients, secure international partnerships, and recruit talent to the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were involved in a variety of programming, including visits and meetings with Universal Music Entertainment, SOCAN Music, SAC Songwriters Association of Canada, Sony Music Entertainment, Apple Music, YouTube, and Google Play. The participants were also involved in a three-day music summit during Canadian Music Week, where they shared their backgrounds and expertise through podcasts, panels, and interactive classes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Exchange allowed for a unique and innovative global partnership to happen,\u0026rdquo; said Melissa MacMaster, Founder and Owner of 902 Hip Hop. \u0026ldquo;Bridging the gap between the Canadian and U.S music industry was a way to create new business opportunities for the Atlanta executives and build a strong network of industry relationships that they can continue to foster and grow.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I learned so much in one week hanging with this group and appreciated the opportunity to contribute my career experiences,\u0026rdquo; said Jhordan Gibbs. Gibbs is the Co-Founder of Milk \u0026amp; Cookies Festival, which produces 20-25 concerts annually with touring artists, and was the first Talent Relations Manager for the Atlanta Hawks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Both Atlanta and Toronto are young cities taking center stage. I am tremendously proud to have been a member of an executive team that represented the great City of Atlanta in Toronto,\u0026rdquo; said Rachel Jackson. Jackson is the Director of A\u0026amp;R at RocNation, where she scouts and develops talent, coordinates record deals, and manages creative music processes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2018, Invest Atlanta launched the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-loan-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e in partnership with the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. The program offers loans with low-interest rates and flexible repayment plans for independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs in the City of Atlanta to assist with production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development, and sales and attraction for their creative projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":273,"title":"Atlanta Drives the Conversation Around Equitable Federal Opportunity Zone Investment ","promo_title":"Atlanta Driving the Conversation Around Equitable Federal Opportunity Zone Investment ","published_date":"2019-06-12","featured_image":{"id":913,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"foz_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1226697,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-12T14:46:57.415-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-12T14:46:57.549-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-13T10:06:09.232-04:00","filename_hash":"foz_event_8mk1aR2.png","width":1200,"height":619},"filename":"atlanta-drives-the-conversation-around-equitable-federal-opportunity-zone-investment","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FVw0aQ","created_at":"2019-06-12T14:47:13.046-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-13T10:06:09.184-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has been a first mover and thought leader when it comes to driving the conversation about an effective\u0026nbsp;Federal Opportunity Zone development strategy.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been a first mover and thought leader when it comes to driving the conversation about an effective\u0026nbsp;Federal Opportunity Zone development strategy. The City of Atlanta is at the forefront of examining how to maximize the program\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;potential for equity, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, business development, and living wage job creation in our communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFederal Opportunity Zones are the first federal economic and community development tool to launch since the New Markets Tax Credits program 15 years ago. This new program provides an opportunity to drive private investment into neighborhoods in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 26 Opportunity Zones, located primarily in the south and southwest areas of the city. Many of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s incentives can be layered with Opportunity Zone investments to deliver additional economic benefits to the city and its residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Edward Smith has gotten off to a running start as our very first Opportunity Zones and Special Initiatives Manager. In this role, Dr. Smith is developing and leading the Invest Atlanta strategy\u0026nbsp;for connecting qualified investors to place-based initiatives, development projects, and businesses seeking investment capital located within the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Federal Opportunity Zones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecently, Invest Atlanta has partnered with other local organizations to host two informative events. On May 23, 2019 at Southface, Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative brought in financial and development experts for a Federal Opportunity Zone Forum for Entrepreneurs. Speakers included Alicia Reeves of AWBI; Dr. Shireda P. Howard, Managing Director, Diversified Financial Management Group, Inc.; Will Lambe, Director of Capital Solutions, Enterprise Community Investments, Inc.; and Dale Royal, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). A packed house heard a spirited discussion on the benefits of Opportunity Zones for residents and businesses, and best practices for mobilizing capital to invest in small businesses located in underserved markets.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOn June 4, 2019, Invest Atlanta hosted a Federal Opportunity Zone Empowerment Forum at the MET Atlanta in Southwest Atlanta. Two panels of experts covered different aspects of the new tools. The audience heard from organizations including Invest Atlanta, HUD, Impact Fund, Community Reinvestment Fund, Urban League, UGA Small Business Development Center, and the Georgia Tech Minority Business Development Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta also recently published an \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/city_of_atlanta_oz_prospectus_2019_1ORmaZa.pdf\"\u003eOpportunity Zone Prospectus\u003c/a\u003e to educate potential investors about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, economic development tools, and the demographics and opportunities within each Opportunity Zone. Within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones, the City and its economic development partners, including Central Atlanta Progress, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and Invest Atlanta, have identified a diverse set of investment opportunities within commercial real estate and operating businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLooking ahead, Invest Atlanta will continue to push a proactive strategy of connecting qualified investors to place-based initiatives, development projects, and businesses seeking investment capital located within the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Federal Opportunity Zones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary focus will be to facilitate and streamline the connection process between investors and projects within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones and ensure that Atlanta is well positioned for investments in catalytic projects that can make a significant social and economic impact for the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":272,"title":"Invesco Adding 500 Jobs in a Major Expansion in Midtown ","promo_title":"Invesco Adding 500 Jobs in a Major Expansion in Midtown ","published_date":"2019-06-01","featured_image":{"id":912,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"midtown_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1338685,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:54:37.307-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-04T09:54:37.374-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.400-04:00","filename_hash":"midtown_insight_OPXNxjN.png","width":1200,"height":508},"filename":"invesco-adding-500-jobs-in-a-major-expansion-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I1puIw","created_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.358-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.358-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invesco, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvesco, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to thank Invesco for its commitment to the City of Atlanta and am pleased to see another global company expanding here,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is a testament to the role public-private partnerships play in creating new jobs and economic opportunity for Atlanta residents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvesco\u0026rsquo;s presence in Atlanta dates back more than forty years to 1978, when its assets under management totaled $400 million. Drawn by the strong supply of talent, world-class airport, and outstanding quality of life in the city, Invesco moved its global headquarters to Atlanta in 2007.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited by the opportunity to build on our forty-year presence in the city and meaningfully expand our local team to nearly 1,200 professionals, which will enhance our ability to meet client needs here in Atlanta and across the globe,\u0026rdquo; said Martin L. Flanagan, President and CEO of Invesco. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re also pleased to join MetLife Investment Management \u0026amp; Granite Properties in the development of one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s premier locations at the corner of 17th Street and West Peachtree Street. To further strengthen our global operating platform, we will make a significant, $70 million investment in our business here for the benefit of our clients, employees, and shareholders, while continuing to play an active role in our community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday Invesco is entrusted with managing $1.2 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide. It is the sixth-largest U.S. retail asset manager and the thirteenth-largest investment manager globally. Invesco employs more than 650 professionals in Atlanta and has more than 8,000 employees in twenty-five countries focused on delivering a comprehensive range of active, passive, and alternative capabilities to help clients around the world meet their investment objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo accommodate the additional employees and further strengthen its presence in Atlanta, Invesco will move to a new global headquarters building in Midtown Union currently under development by MetLife Investment Management \u0026amp; Granite Properties and scheduled for completion in August 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta worked in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":266,"title":"Executive Corner: Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires","published_date":"2019-05-07","featured_image":{"id":885,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"nfs_exec_corner_insight_4.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":911166,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:18:40.236-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-07T10:18:40.298-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:20:21.501-04:00","filename_hash":"nfs_exec_corner_insight_4_1OL2JBw.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"executive-corner-norfolk-southern-ceo-jim-squires","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Mf7oOA","created_at":"2019-05-07T10:14:36.319-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:20:21.463-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/332502279","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires spoke about why the City of Atlanta was the right choice for its headquarters relocation.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires spoke about why the City of Atlanta was the right choice for its headquarters relocation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn March 2019, the freight rail company broke ground on its new corporate headquarters in Midtown Atlanta. The railroad\u0026rsquo;s relocation, which the company officially announced in December 2018, will bring approximately 850 jobs to Atlanta with an average salary of $105,000 and generate an economic impact of around $811 million for the region. Plans call for the building to be completed and occupied by Norfolk Southern in the third quarter of 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSquires spoke about why they decided to make the move to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has a lot of natural advantages,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;For example, it has outstanding transportation connections, so the Airport is a major attraction. It\u0026rsquo;s a major freight transportation node on our rail network today, so being close to that, having the headquarters right in the middle of the operations network, that\u0026rsquo;s a plus for us as well. The ability to recruit from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s colleges and universities, that\u0026rsquo;s a big draw. We were fortunate to locate an outstanding site here in midtown Atlanta and so we\u0026rsquo;re very excited to be in that tech corridor part of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the state of Georgia, and many other partners worked together to attract the company. Squires spoke highly of the process.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve had such wonderful support from the state of Georgia, from the City of Atlanta, from economic development partners in the City and at the state level,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve had the support of many business partners in the private sector as well. We really appreciate all the support that we received from Invest Atlanta as well.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":267,"title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","promo_title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","published_date":"2019-05-03","featured_image":{"id":899,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_lloyd_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":923460,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.639-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.710-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.777-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_lloyd_insight_MYWvk8a.png","width":1200,"height":467},"filename":"screen-lloyd-the-first-creative-industries-loan-fund-recipient","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"B3Srew","created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:45.890-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.740-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta-based content creation company, founded by Amy and Kristen McGrary, develops high-quality feature film and television productions. Screen Lloyd will use the loan funding to assist with the production, marketing, and distribution of the latest slate of films they have in production.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated to the art of storytelling, creating compelling and lasting content, Screen Llloyd supports a community of talented filmmakers who come together under one umbrella.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe McGrarys\u0026rsquo; visual and artistic approach to filmmaking has been enhanced by a background that includes art and set design. Through the years, both Amy and Kristen have worked on numerous mainstream film and television productions, including Terminator, Glory, Driving Miss Daisy, Ride Along, The Boss, Drumline, I\u0026rsquo;ll Fly Away, Drop Dead Diva, and Manhunt: Unabomber. Their combined experience in all areas of film production helps Screen Llloyd lend a unique voice to\u0026nbsp;the stories they tell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company currently has two films that are in distribution to MGM, and they are past recipients of an NAACP Image Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":263,"title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","promo_title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","published_date":"2019-04-22","featured_image":{"id":866,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"agtech_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1397372,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.975-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T08:55:26.893-04:00","filename_hash":"agtech_v2_r6bDkLm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"agtech-startups-selected-for-first-iotatl-living-labs-pilot","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SRbokw","created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n From cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;has chosen its first participants to develop their intelligent farming solutions in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrom cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural \u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e unearthed several intelligent farming solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine, Georgia Power, New City Properties and AGCO, launched the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge. The nationwide search was created to find technology solutions that would improve food resilience in metro Atlanta and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Tech companies are a driving force in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, and those Invest Atlanta has worked with have added 14,800 new jobs and $3.9 billion of economic impact to the city since 2016,\u0026rdquo; said President and CEO of Invest Atlanta Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Demonstration Project program helps to further expand the tech sector by allowing entrepreneurs to test and validate their technologies in an actual urban environment with support from their city. We congratulate the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge winners and look forward to supporting their continued growth in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving innovation community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;IoT.ATL is proud to champion this collaborative and impactful project to create solutions for urban food resilience. IoT.ATL aims to leverage technology for good and create sustainable communities that are equitable and inclusive,\u0026rdquo; said Metro Atlanta Chamber Director of IoT/AI/Smart Cities Ecosystem Expansion Cynthia Curry. \u0026ldquo;The living labs project is helping realize our vision, and we are incredibly thankful to our partners for their support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the local corporate, civic and startup communities, as well as AgTech subject matter experts, reviewed applications from several AgTech startups and ultimately selected five solutions to pilot along the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe winning solutions include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.hatponics.com/\"\u003eHATponics\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://www.hip-sci.com/\"\u003eHipScience\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; HATponics and Hip Science are teaming up to create a near-zero input farm facility that will function as a global model to help alleviate food deserts, enhance STEM education and provide additional revenue streams for the food desert populations. HATponics will deliver a portable wind- and solar-powered hybrid aquaponics farm. It will be outfitted with proprietary IoT programming and sensors staffed by aviation drones for daily tasks. HipScience will fully implement and control an intelligent farming system.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.growcomputer.io/\"\u003eGrow Computer\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://copiana.com/\"\u003eCopiana\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Grow Computer\u0026rsquo;s patent-pending IoT ecosystem will provide real-time controls and information about what\u0026rsquo;s happening inside the container and new ways to analyze grow data. Copiana will serve as the boots-on-the-ground agriculture experts, managing the operation and growth of the plants and produce and working to ensure the highest operational safety and efficiencies are built into the platform.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fmuscah.org\u0026amp;c=E,1,vQCyGgiMVrQvbVPjkpCpL41UoKiPGP2O97SwLSyYyEJFFtALlpG0vVboJWGvNxPPWRLVwaKD4t1_XLbSM0MafDD2bHioIx-rcCDRvH7VtnzuwKrQ-iZkdosW\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMUSCAH\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.urbansproutfarms.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,B_YbNxVIm3agMQMiHxehBMUxdPrjaSgPPZDUySFvYE2oXjknuQCPneGTvJ-U5_SVBpwkqG7cu_AXXuF9Bxq3R74i1elch7RYs6t-vCF55g,,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUrban Sprout Farms\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, and \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fyogardener.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,7_2-cT7142keiIdeFOQNpidr_qEaOgcZ60En649LAoLA1yO6sjM3esGAYGmA_MzxBFB0wYYjXjlwpmiQjJMCpF0auDHBemJlNWJap5fCGLGoaTAZdRIR4NE,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eYogardener\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e \u0026ndash; MUSCAH, Urban Sprout Farms and Yogardener have teamed up to bring a conceptual model for the Urban Sprout Farm Manager\u0026#39;s AgTech Command Center to the BeltLine for the AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;Equipped top to bottom with the most up-to-date remote sensing technology, the demo site will showcase the ways that urban farming can integrate big data analysis into enhanced food production models with efficient alternative housing and sustainable environmental design focused on community development.\u0026nbsp;Incorporating a triple bottom line perspective emphasizing People, Planet and Profit, the team is working to disrupt the urban farming, alternative housing and environmentally conscious community development from the ground up.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.wundergrubs.com/\"\u003eWUNDERGrubs\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; This local healthy snack startup will use an insect farm model incorporating IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. This will then be manufactured into food products that are healthy and tasty, plus pack a nutritional punch.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.ponixfarms.com/\"\u003ePonix\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Ponix is focused on reclassifying food as a utility \u0026ndash; much like water or electricity \u0026ndash; by developing solutions for end-to-end local food ecosystems. Ponix will demo its solution for local and transparent food production in \u003ca href=\"http://www.farmboxfoods.com/\"\u003eFarmbox Foods\u0026rsquo;\u003c/a\u003e 40 feet controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm. The farm will grow produce year-round, be controlled and monitored from a web or mobile device through the PonixOS and set a new standard for the way food is produced and distributed in cities.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese startups will implement their innovative solutions in shipping containers along the Atlanta BeltLine to pilot their AgTech technologies and identify scalable solutions to sustainable urban agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to demonstrate cutting-edge agriculture technologies on the Atlanta BeltLine,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to working with our partners and leveraging the Atlanta BeltLine as a conduit that unites innovators to collaborate on future projects, like this one, making Atlanta a more resilient city for everyone.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta BeltLine, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":259,"title":"Supply Chain Leader Dematic to Establish Global HQ in Atlanta","promo_title":"Supply Chain Leader Dematic to Establish Global HQ in Atlanta","published_date":"2019-04-10","featured_image":{"id":854,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"tech_square.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1587989,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:25:24.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-10T11:25:24.775-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T08:58:11.819-04:00","filename_hash":"tech_square_LgBLwOb.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"supply-chain-leader-dematic-to-establish-global-hq-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JtjJnA","created_at":"2019-04-10T11:26:37.751-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:34:57.756-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dematic, a world leader in supply chain technology and innovation, will create more than 230 jobs and invest approximately $30 million in a new global headquarters in the CODA complex in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDematic, a world leader in supply chain technology and innovation, will create more than 230 jobs and invest approximately $30 million in a new global headquarters in the CODA complex in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDematic\u0026rsquo;s global headquarters will support its operations in 27 countries and more than 7,000 employees across the globe. With a long history in Metro Atlanta, Dematic employs more than 100 people in several locations including Peachtree Corners and Griffin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Technology is at the core of what we do,\u0026rdquo; said Hasan Dandashly, Dematic President and CEO. \u0026ldquo;We are the leading supplier and partner in the advanced automated logistics and materials handling industry. Our solutions combine the latest advancements in software, robotics and mechatronics to drive optimal performance for our customers. Innovation has enabled us to be a market leader through the first three industrial revolutions. Establishing our headquarters in Atlanta reflects our commitment to remaining a world leader in technology and innovation in the supply chain solution space through industry 4.0.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased to welcome Dematic to Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The world-class talent coming out of our universities and technology assets Midtown offers continue to make the City of Atlanta a top choice for global technology companies to locate their business. The more than 230 jobs created through this move will provide new economic opportunities for more Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith aggressive growth targets, Dematic is hiring for a variety of roles to support the business.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;By locating in the heart of Midtown, this logistics leader will have access to top tech talent, research facilities, and opportunities for collaboration within the world-class Coda computer center,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;\u0026nbsp;This is another significant headquarters relocation, which will bring an estimated economic impact of $62 million to Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":260,"title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-04-09","featured_image":{"id":856,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"whitty_it_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":779749,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.316-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.457-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:46.003-04:00","filename_hash":"whitty_it_insight_RJBogmm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"whitty-it-solutions-growing-with-help-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uU4u4Q","created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:48.126-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:45.966-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/324228854","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Charlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCharlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitty IT Solutions is an IT and professional services company. They provide project management, program management, data analytics, heatlh care IT, FinTech, and cybersecurity solutions.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been awesome,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;re talking about mentoring, not just funding, but guidance. Invest Atlanta provides access to capital, which is something small businesses don\u0026rsquo;t always have. When you paint the picture of where you are, and let them know where you want to be, they can help you get there.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield has grown her IT business from a sole proprietorship to a thriving company with 16 employees, and offices in Atlanta as well as Alabama, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team has worked closely with her during this time.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The partnering with Invest Atlanta has allowed us this opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Whitfield.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield began her business in Atlanta, which described as a thriving \u0026ldquo;tech hub.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This is the best city for tech,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s affordable, number one. We have a great university system and it\u0026rsquo;s cultivating wonderful tech people. And this small business is right here. We don\u0026rsquo;t need to go anywhere else. The City of Atlanta is very open to doing business with women, minorities, and veterans.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":258,"title":"Atlanta Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Norfolk Southern Headquarters","promo_title":"Atlanta Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Norfolk Southern Headquarters","published_date":"2019-03-30","featured_image":{"id":853,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"norfolk_southern_groundbreaking.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1103168,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:03:34.282-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-09T09:03:34.359-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:35.383-04:00","filename_hash":"norfolk_southern_groundbreaking_gvP8Pn2.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"atlanta-celebrates-groundbreaking-for-new-norfolk-southern-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"l2qYLQ","created_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:07.479-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:35.345-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Norfolk Southern, joined by Georgia state and city leaders, held a March groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of its new corporate headquarters building in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern, joined by Georgia state and city leaders, held a March groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of its new corporate headquarters building in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This is an exciting day for Norfolk Southern: We break ground on a new headquarters building, and equally important, begin a new chapter of our railroad\u0026rsquo;s proud history in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said James A. Squires, chairman, president and chief executive officer. \u0026ldquo;Today, we celebrate the start of an exciting era of collaboration and alignment for the NS corporate team that will benefit our employees, our customers, our shareholders, and the communities we serve.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAmong state and local leaders joining Squires for the event were\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Both the state and the city worked closely with Norfolk Southern on development agreements that contributed to the company\u0026rsquo;s decision, announced in December, to relocate its corporate headquarters from Norfolk, Virginia, to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to thank CEO Jim Squires and the entire Norfolk Southern team on their decision to make Atlanta their new home,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This relocation is not only a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving, inclusive business community and talented workforce; it exemplifies the power of public-private sector teamwork in our city. We look forward to continued work with the Norfolk Southern team as they begin to transition to Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern and Cousins Properties are designing a campus that reimagines the employee work environment and experience. Amenities to help employees thrive will include a vibrant on-site dining facility, an adjacent rooftop garden and private greenspace, a comprehensive fitness center, state-of-the-art conference and training facilities, on-site child-care, and a variety of individual and shared workspaces to serve employees\u0026rsquo; diverse needs while promoting interaction and collaboration.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe headquarters site is in Tech Square,\u0026nbsp;a hub of innovation, technology, and talent in the heart of Midtown Atlanta with close ties to Georgia Tech, a continual source of talent for Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s management trainee program. In addition, with easy access to MARTA, highways in every direction, and a world-class airport, Norfolk Southern employees will be close to home, close to the Norfolk Southern rail network, and just a step from partners and customers in North America and across the globe.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPlans call for the building to be completed and occupied by Norfolk Southern in the third quarter of 2021.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe railroad\u0026rsquo;s relocation will bring approximately 850 jobs to Atlanta with an average salary of $105,000 and generate an economic impact of around $811 million for the region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":254,"title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","promo_title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","published_date":"2019-03-18","featured_image":{"id":836,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"campbellton_rd_volunteer.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1722525,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.447-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.855-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:26:22.065-04:00","filename_hash":"campbellton_rd_volunteer_MYML35o.png","width":1200,"height":693},"filename":"campbellton-road-small-business-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"U1l27Q","created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:59.212-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:25:36.640-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road. Applicants had to own or operate a business located on Campbellton Road, earn $200,000 or less in gross annual revenue, and have been in continuous operation since November 1, 2017 to be eligible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe three recipients of renovation funding were Senegambia Restaurant, Hot Chixx Wings ATL, and Getting Ahead Barbershop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Wednesday, March 13, volunteers from the partner organizations volunteered their time to do the painting work that was part of the renovations at \u003ca href=\"https://www.senegambiarestaurant.com/\"\u003eSenegambia Restaurant\u003c/a\u003e, which serves a variety of West African, Caribbean and American cuisine. Besides new interior painting, the restaurant received new commercial grade cooking equipment, bathroom upgrades, and walk-in cooler repair.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Hair-Salon/Getting-A-Head-BarberShop-1535606126661773/\"\u003eGetting Ahead Barbershop\u003c/a\u003e has been able to purchase new barber chairs, dryer/chair combos, fans, and ceiling tiles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just my business, it belongs to the people and the Atlanta community,\u0026rdquo; said owner Paul Lockhart. \u0026ldquo;They deserve something nice. Our mission statement is serving and preserving the community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe walk-in cooler and freezer outdoor units were replaced at \u003ca href=\"http://www.hottchixxwings.com/\"\u003eHot Chixx Wings ATL\u003c/a\u003e, allowing them to expand their menu. They also had their indoor cooling units serviced, chairs repairs, and new paint applied to the interior walls.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love Campbellton Road for giving my family this chance to realize our passion \u0026ndash; food,\u0026rdquo; said Fostoria Dumas. \u0026ldquo;The menu has mostly fast food options, but we are planning to add a few healthier choices, once our cooler/freezer are repaired.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":256,"title":"Small Business Stories: Hop City Craft Beer \u0026 Wine Founder Kraig Torres","promo_title":"Small Business Stories: Hop City Craft Beer \u0026 Wine Founder Kriag Torres","published_date":"2019-03-17","featured_image":{"id":842,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"kt-_hopy_city.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":422700,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:14:32.842-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:14:32.885-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:35:42.316-04:00","filename_hash":"kt-_hopy_city_E6BkP1R.png","width":846,"height":469},"filename":"small-business-stories-hop-city-craft-beer-wine-founder-kraig-torres","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jGo7Mg","created_at":"2019-03-21T13:55:46.851-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:35:42.275-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/325082635","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Hopy City Founder \u0026amp; Cheif Hophead Kraig Torres sat down with Invest Atlanta to talk about what it means to be a part of the Atlanta business landscape and why the West End was a great neighborhood for their newest location\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.hopcitybeer.com/\"\u003eHop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine\u003c/a\u003e Founder and Chief Hophead Kraig Torres sat down with Invest Atlanta to talk about what it means to be a part of the Atlanta business landscape and why the West End was a great neighborhood for their newest location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHop City is a lifestyle store that specializes in craft beer and wine. Invest Atlanta provided Hop City a \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eBusiness Improvement Loan\u003c/a\u003e for a new location, Hop City West End \u0026amp; Boxcar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Very early on, Invest Atlanta reached out to me,\u0026rdquo; said Torres. \u0026ldquo;They approached me and said, \u0026lsquo;You\u0026rsquo;re opening in a part of town that we feel strongly about.\u0026rdquo; Invest Atlanta also partnered with Torres on workforce initiatives to identify job opportunities at the new location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHop City currently has five locations in West Midtown, Krog Street Market, West End, Alpharetta, and Birmingham.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We believe that if you can make it here in Atlanta, you can make it in any city in America.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":255,"title":"IA Hosts On the Job Training Info Sessions for Atlanta Businesses","promo_title":"IA Hosts On the Job Training Info Sessions for Atlanta Businesses","published_date":"2019-03-15","featured_image":{"id":838,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ojt_sessions_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":608516,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:44.282-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:44.338-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:56.372-04:00","filename_hash":"ojt_sessions_2_2aR66Ze.png","width":1200,"height":461},"filename":"ia-hosts-on-the-job-training-info-sessions-for-atlanta-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"eTADDw","created_at":"2019-03-18T13:55:43.404-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:56.333-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Alongside WorkSource Atlanta, Invest Atlanta hosted two On the Job Training information sessions for businesses on March 6, 2019.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlongside WorkSource Atlanta, Invest Atlanta hosted two On the Job Training information sessions for businesses on March 6, 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the sessions, WorkSource Atlanta to describe the OJT process and how the business would participate in the program.\u0026nbsp; Informational packets for the businesses and one-on-one consultations were made available to attendees following the sessions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn the Job Training helps to ensure that workers and employers have resources needed to maximize their success. It\u0026rsquo;s also designed to assist employers in building a talent pipeline by providing employees with on the job training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough grant funding, WorkSource Atlanta will cover the hourly rate of each work experience employee. The employer must commit to hiring the individual upon successful completion of training. The participant must work up to 40 hours a week until having developed the skills needed by the employer or for a period of 17 weeks, whichever comes first.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about OJT program \u003ca href=\"http://www.worksourceatlanta.org/employers/training-support/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":252,"title":"Invest Atlanta Joins re:imagine/Alliance to Support Atlanta’s Film \u0026 Digital Media Workforce","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Joins re:imagine/Alliance to Support Atlanta’s Film \u0026 Digital Media Workforce","published_date":"2019-03-13","featured_image":{"id":834,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"alliance.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":36767,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:30:53.518-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-14T14:30:53.555-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.255-04:00","filename_hash":"alliance_QgPz8KN.png","width":1200,"height":393},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-reimagine-alliance-to-support-atlantas-film-digital-media-workforce","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fUiYOg","created_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.212-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.212-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Creative Media and Entertainment industry joins Atlanta-based nonprofit, re:imagine/ATL in the re:imagine/Alliance to work together towards a vision of a safe, inclusive, and equitable workforce in the film and digital media industry.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Creative Media and Entertainment industry joins Atlanta-based nonprofit, re:imagine/ATL in the re:imagine/Alliance to work together towards a vision of a safe, inclusive, and equitable workforce in the film and digital media industry. The Alliance has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial resources, and activated the skills and networks of its partner organizations to directly invest in equipping the next generation of storytellers across metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn response to the need for a skilled, and representative workforce from Georgia\u0026rsquo;s growing entertainment industry, re:imagine/ATL has been working with Atlanta teens to expose them to potential careers, provide training in vital skills, and help make industry connections to build their professional networks. The opportunities presented by the burgeoning entertainment and digital media industries are creating space for a new generation of storytellers that is uniquely positioned to tell their stories from a diverse range\u0026nbsp; of perspectives across race, gender identity, socio-economic status, and cultural background. Funding from the re:imagine/Alliance goes directly to supporting those opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Teens are heavily influenced by what they see and hear, which means the media that surrounds them can greatly impact their lives. We have a responsibility to equip them with the tools they need to tell their own stories, to create spaces that allow them to discover new opportunities in this field, and to provide platforms that encourage the industry to identify new representative talent,\u0026rdquo; said Kimberlin Bolton, re:imagine/ATL\u0026rsquo;s Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;re:imagine/ATL is working to be a strong, sustainable bridge between young underrepresented storytellers and the creative media industry. We recognize that the magnitude of our vision requires the investment of this industry, which is why the re:imagine/Alliance is a key component of our work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 re:imagine/Alliance is made up of both local and national companies including The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Alston \u0026amp; Bird, The Atlanta Voice, Bark Bark, Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, EUE Screen Gems, Exchange Communications, The Gathering Spot, Georgia Infrastructure \u0026amp; Studio Alliance, Invest Atlanta, Mailchimp, Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Moonshine Post-Production, THEA (Choose ATL), Third Rail Studios, and Turner. Each of these companies shares re:imagine/ATL\u0026rsquo;s vision and believes in the power of storytelling.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Turner believes that art and culture can serve as vehicles for bringing diverse communities together,\u0026rdquo; said Sydney Langdon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Turner. \u0026ldquo;Through Turner Voices, our signature corporate philanthropy program, Turner partners with impactful organizations, such as re:imagine/ATL, to strategically invest in community arts and culture to promote stronger dialogue and diversity in the industry\u0026rsquo;s pipeline of emerging voices and to pave the way for the next generation of storytellers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvesting in the re:imagine/Alliance supports both the creative and economic future of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Creatives are an integral part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s dynamic workforce, driving significant economic activity in the city,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta is a leader in creative industries, and exposing young people to creative career paths is critical to helping the industry thrive for years to come. Invest Atlanta is proud to continue supporting re:imagine/ATL in fostering inclusive workforce development opportunities for the city\u0026rsquo;s next generation of talented creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a financial investment, partner companies work with re:imagine/ATL to offer resources, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":253,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant Program","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant Program","published_date":"2019-03-11","featured_image":{"id":835,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"npuv_sbig.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1099365,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-15T12:52:13.712-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-15T12:52:13.787-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-27T09:19:06.902-04:00","filename_hash":"npuv_sbig_OPBxzRQ.png","width":1200,"height":470},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-npu-v-small-business-improvement-grant-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yYsvgg","created_at":"2019-03-15T12:53:52.543-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-27T09:19:06.853-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant (NPU-V SBIG) program will help strengthen local businesses in certain neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta by providing grants toward improvements intended to make small businesses more attractive to customers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant (NPU-V SBIG) program will help strengthen local businesses in certain neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta by providing grants toward improvements intended to make small businesses more attractive to customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified business or property owners in the Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Summerhill neighborhoods can receive between $3,000 and $10,00 for eligible exterior and interior renovations. Applications are available \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/npu-v-small-business-improvement-program\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e and due May 3, 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNPU-V SBIG aims to enhance the appearance of commercial areas in the neighborhoods of Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown to help new and established businesses attract customers and increase revenues, attract more businesses to the area, and build safer, more attractive and stable neighborhoods. The funding has been made available by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible applicants must be occupied by an operating business licensed by the City of Atlanta that have a minimum 3-year lease. A minimum of 50% of NPU-V SBIG funds must be used for exterior improvements to the property. Additional application requirements and eligible uses of funds can be found are located within the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/npu_v_sbig_application_jp9LWxV.pdf\"\u003eNPU-V SBIG guidelines and application\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program is part of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger efforts in the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southside neighborhoods. The Campbellton Road Small Business Improvement Grant program assisted three small businesses along the southwest Atlanta commercial corridor. In addition, Invest Atlanta recently announced the hiring of Erika Smith as the Southside Community and Economic Development Manager. These announcements come after years of investing in these neighborhoods through our small business loan programs, multifamily housing financing, and homeownership incentives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":246,"title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","promo_title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","published_date":"2019-02-19","featured_image":{"id":826,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_group_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1148061,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.865-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.981-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.585-05:00","filename_hash":"s2s_group_v1_gvkggO2.png","width":1100,"height":491},"filename":"year-2-of-students2startups-kicks-off","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"naArTA","created_at":"2019-02-19T08:57:05.581-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.551-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n After a successful pilot, the Students2Startups program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter a successful pilot, the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startup\u003c/a\u003es program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019. An initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and WorkSource Atlanta, Students2Startups focuses on connecting talented students with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to expand their business. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning. Students2Startups was piloted in 2018 to address these opportunities through entrepreneurial-focused student internships with Atlanta-based startups. In its first year, the program hosted 14 students comprised of 50 percent women and 86 percent people of color.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is a strong example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s commitment to equip the next generation for success,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This mentorship program opens doors, closes opportunity gaps and enhances the innovative talent that will soon enter the workforce. We are proud of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s many startup success stories and we are excited to help more talented young students become successful entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will manage the program and pair 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups for paid, full-time, technology-focused summer internships and ongoing professional development opportunities. WorkSource Atlanta has partnered with Invest Atlanta to subsidize selected students. Participating startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various technology-related careers. During the first year, interns were able to learn about and assist with projects focused on operations, research, data development, app improvement, marketing, social media, and customer discovery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a hotbed of startup activity underpinned by 65 corporate innovation centers, incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces in the city and metro area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Building on the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s pilot, Students2Startups is another way to foster a rich, diverse talent pipeline to support our thriving startup ecosystem for years to come. We look forward to continued partnership with the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta and the startup community as we welcome new students to the program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta startup ecosystem is very much \u0026lsquo;on the map\u0026rsquo; for me after this experience,\u0026rdquo; said Nydrel Jack, who was an intern with NFANT Labs. More than 50 percent of participants are planning to stay in Atlanta after college because they know more about the opportunities that the city has to offer.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSixty-four percent of participants remained with their startups beyond the program as an intern or volunteer, and two interns were hired as full-time employees as a result of the program. \u0026ldquo;Students2Startups was exactly what I needed to help move the needle and I couldn\u0026rsquo;t have asked for a better intern,\u0026rdquo; said Terri-Nichelle Bradley, CEO \u0026amp; Founder of Brown Toy Box. \u0026ldquo;The program will one day be a big part of my startup story. I am so unspeakably grateful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Kimberlyn Daniel, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026nbsp; In addition, supporting a program such as this is very timely as Atlanta was just named the top U.S. city for startups outside of San Francisco and New York City.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a lunch-and-learn series to help students build more connections with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified students from Atlanta universities are encouraged to apply. Applications for students and interested startups are open now until March 15. For more information, visit \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":248,"title":"Third Street Goods Opens Doors in Grant Park","promo_title":"Third Street Goods Opens Doors in Grant Park","published_date":"2019-02-16","featured_image":{"id":823,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"third_street_goods.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":972960,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:19.822-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:19.881-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.862-05:00","filename_hash":"third_street_goods_vlEM2Xx.png","width":1200,"height":582},"filename":"third-street-goods-opens-doors-in-grant-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iRYnPA","created_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.830-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.830-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Third Street Goods is a neighborhood market that combines the freshness of a farmer\u0026rsquo;s market and the convenience of a big-name grocery.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThird Street Goods is a neighborhood market that combines the freshness of a farmer\u0026rsquo;s market and the convenience of a big-name grocery. Plus, there\u0026rsquo;s a coffee counter and a speak-easy style bar in the back.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCo-owners Holli Medley and Kathryn DiMenichi are part of a local movement to keep clean, sustainably sourced food approachable and affordable. And, they passionately support like-minded businesses by stocking the shelves with their products.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, Holli and Kathryn honed a list of 65,000 line items to 650, filtering everything from a product\u0026rsquo;s relative distance from its producer and employee care, to the whole ingredients used, environmental stewardship, quality, value, cost, beauty \u0026hellip; and of course, flavor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We work with co-ops, farmer\u0026rsquo;s markets and female-, minority- and employee-owned businesses who are committed to doing the right thing,\u0026rdquo; says Kathryn. \u0026ldquo;It may not be possible to always stock a perfect selection of unadulterated foods within this bottom-line driven FDA-approved food production system, but we might be able to help turn the ship around, starting with our approved list of 650 items.\u0026rdquo; Located 420 feet off the Beltline at the Beacon in Grant Park, Third Street Goods offers cured and raw meats, cheeses, canned goods, snacks, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and bulk items, as well as limited convenience food and ready-made family meals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHolli and Kathryn launched the idea of Third Street Goods through a Kickstarter campaign, but a $67,000 loan from Invest Atlanta via Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) pulled them through the final stretch to opening their doors. \u0026ldquo;Out of all our experiences to get here, Invest Atlanta was by far the most helpful,\u0026rdquo; says Holli. \u0026ldquo;We presented them with our 9-pound business plan (literally), and they were straight-forward, easy to work with and prompt in every way. It\u0026rsquo;s in their name \u0026ndash; they want small businesses in Atlanta to succeed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe market\u0026rsquo;s name is a nod to Kathryn\u0026rsquo;s paternal great-grandparents, who lived on Third Street.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Whenever something is really delicious, my dad always says, \u0026lsquo;That\u0026rsquo;s Third Street good,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; explains Kathryn. \u0026ldquo;Food memories are so strong and so important. They take you to another place and time.\u0026rdquo; Cardinal, the bar nestled in the back of Third Street Goods, is meant to be a magical surprise for market patrons. \u0026ldquo;Cardinals represent our ancestors,\u0026rdquo; says Holli, who originally met Kathryn when they both worked as bartenders. \u0026ldquo;If you\u0026rsquo;re ever in a moment of stress or need to slow things down and a cardinal appears, you know someone is looking out for you and everything will be ok.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRead more stories about how Invest Atlanta has helped local small businesses in our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/investatlanta-annualreport-2018_ZOBqxv8.pdf\"\u003e2018 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":245,"title":"Nathan Regan Joins Invest Atlanta as Senior Vice President of Economic Development","promo_title":"Nathan Regan Joins Invest Atlanta as Senior Vice President of Economic Development","published_date":"2019-02-13","featured_image":null,"filename":"nathan-regan-joins-invest-atlanta-as-senior-vice-president-of-economic-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Es4Jyg","created_at":"2019-02-13T11:40:16.788-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-13T11:40:16.788-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Nathan Regan to serve as the agency\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of Economic Development. Regan will lead the economic development team focusing on business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment (FDI) and creative industries activities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Nathan Regan to serve as the agency\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of Economic Development. Regan will lead the economic development team focusing on business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment (FDI) and creative industries activities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy continues to thrive, and a key to further growth and vitality is a renewed focus on target industry sectors and an expanded global development strategy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Nathan\u0026rsquo;s experience in economic development and leadership in building deep trade and investment connections with other countries will be a huge asset for increasing job growth and attracting new foreign direct investment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Regan worked in both private industry and the public sector.\u0026nbsp; He served as a legislative fellow to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, focusing on economic development, jobs, and energy and environmental legislation. Regan also served as a Senior International Investment Specialist in the U.S. Department of Commerce\u0026rsquo;s SelectUSA unit, managing an international foreign direct investment team resulting in $500 million worth of investments and more than 1,000 new jobs. In this position, he served as a liaison with state and local economic development agencies around the country on FDI industry best practices and managed FDI projects coming from Europe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a top-tier economic development team,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the recent success Invest Atlanta has had attracting global companies to the city, and I will work to support the innovative programs the organization has put in place to make this city one of the most competitive in the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to his federal service, Regan worked in sales and marketing in international business development.\u0026nbsp; He began his career doing program management and business development for the U.S. operations of various European automotive supply companies. He later served as a commercial attach\u0026eacute; with the French Consulate in Atlanta and was responsible for attracting French foreign direct investment to the region. He was subsequently recruited to join the Danish Trade Council in Atlanta, where he served as a Senior International Trade Specialist and was responsible for trade and investment ties between Georgia and Denmark. He oversaw the Danish Business Incubator and was responsible for creating more than 30 Atlanta-based companies and generating more than 200 jobs in the Atlanta metro region. In 2012, Regan was selected to manage the Bahrain Economic Development Board\u0026rsquo;s Washington, D.C. office, where he worked with Fortune 500 companies on increasing trade and investment in the Middle East.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRegan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University\u0026rsquo;s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He served as a Commissioner for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser\u0026rsquo;s Age-Friendly Business Initiative, where he worked to foster a more vibrant business community. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council and a native of Greenville, South Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":247,"title":"Hop City Expanding to 5th Location With Help From Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Hop City Expanding to 5th Location With Help From Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-02-12","featured_image":{"id":822,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hop_city.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1137258,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:20:52.125-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-21T15:20:52.243-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.817-05:00","filename_hash":"hop_city_DNaqk7v.png","width":1200,"height":563},"filename":"hop-city-expanding-to-5th-location-with-help-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"MeyXGA","created_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.778-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.778-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Kraig is again working with Invest Atlanta to finance the renovations for his fifth location in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s West End. Invest Atlanta also is helping him staff the new location through a local job bank.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKraig Torres likes his beer. He\u0026rsquo;s traveled the world tasting different stouts, porters, ambers and lagers \u0026ndash; you name it, he\u0026rsquo;s tried it. That love of beer led him to open Hop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine in 2009.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ve been passionate about beer since it was legal for me to drink,\u0026rdquo; laughs Kraig. He never dreamed it would eventually become his profession. But all in due time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKraig first partnered with Invest Atlanta back in 2003 \u0026ndash; not to pursue his passion for beer, but to open a collision and body shop. Invest Atlanta provided financing to help Kraig purchase the space for his business. After several years restoring mangled cars, Kraig decided the time had come to pursue his true passion. He opened the first Hop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine in West Midtown with 12 taps and became the forefather of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s beer growler scene.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt that time, craft beer consumption in Georgia was at 4 percent; today it\u0026rsquo;s 20 percent and growing. \u0026ldquo;The public has decided this is what beer is supposed to taste like,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud of my brewing friends and all they\u0026rsquo;ve accomplished; it\u0026rsquo;s hard to believe how much the market has grown.\u0026rdquo; Kraig and his team have grown Hop City in the process. When he first opened his doors, he had four employees. Today, he\u0026rsquo;s about to open his fifth location (three in Atlanta, one in Alpharetta and one in Birmingham, Alabama) and will have 150 employees across his platform. Home to the East Coast\u0026rsquo;s largest selection of beer, Hop City has indeed made a name for itself \u0026ndash; including being recognized as one of the country\u0026rsquo;s top 10 retailers by RateBeer and being awarded an A+ by Beer Advocate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a really vibrant city,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a fun melting pot of personality and culture. The best part of my job is meeting new people and introducing them to all the great beer that\u0026rsquo;s being brewed today.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKraig is again working with Invest Atlanta to finance the renovations for his fifth location in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s West End. Invest Atlanta also is helping him staff the new location through a local job bank. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an easy partnership,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;re always willing to listen. If you have a smart business plan and are willing to put in the work, Invest Atlanta can help you achieve your dream.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRead more stories about\u0026nbsp;how Invest Atlanta has helped local small businesses in our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/investatlanta-annualreport-2018_ZOBqxv8.pdf\"\u003e2018 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":244,"title":"Westside Warmup Kicks Off Super Bowl Activities in Southwest Atlanta","promo_title":"Westside Warmup Kicks Off Super Bowl Activities in Southwest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-01-31","featured_image":{"id":801,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a3166-2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4456465,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-31T09:57:17.634-05:00","caption":"Westside Warmup 2","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-31T09:57:17.911-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-31T10:19:55.538-05:00","filename_hash":"151a3166-2_W1orMEj.jpg","width":5760,"height":3237},"filename":"westside-warmup-kicks-off-super-bowl-activities-in-southwest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3B2HvQ","created_at":"2019-01-31T10:17:23.136-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-31T10:19:55.507-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Supported by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the City of Atlanta Planning Department, and Invest Atlanta, the Westside Warmup brought community and business leaders together to showcase Southwest Atlanta in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSupported by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the City of Atlanta Planning Department, and Invest Atlanta, the Westside Warmup brought community and business leaders together to showcase Southwest Atlanta in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe purpose of the event was to highlight the unique neighborhoods, rich culture, and growing businesses in the area. \u0026ldquo;With upwards of $2 billion in tourism dollars anticipated, ABI wanted to help facilitate an event in historic southwest Atlanta for community businesses to take advantage of the Super Bowl economy,\u0026rdquo; said Clyde Higgs, interim President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe event took place across three locations near the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail. Activities began at the West End MARTA Station soccer fields, StationSoccer.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.soccerstreets.org/station-soccer-play\"\u003eStationSoccer\u003c/a\u003e, a program by Soccer in the Streets, is the world\u0026rsquo;s first transit soccer league and hosted soccer matches for both children and adults. The South Atlanta High School drumline also performed throughout the beginning of the event to get guests excited for the remainder of festivities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFollowing the activities at StationSoccer, the South Atlanta High School drumline led guests down Lee Street to\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.leeandwhiteatl.com/\"\u003eLee + White\u003c/a\u003e, the West End\u0026rsquo;s newest food and beverage district. In addition to local craft brewery Monday Night Garage hosting happy hour, there were jazz musical performances by the Atlanta Music Project, football skills courses, kombucha tastings from Cultured South, and various food vendors.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.640westatl.com/\"\u003e640 West Caf\u0026eacute;\u003c/a\u003e, a community caf\u0026eacute; and event space, was the final stop of the event and featured live music, artists performances, and a vendor market with more than 40 participants featuring local food, artists, businesses, and artisans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To get a truly authentic Atlanta experience, you have to come to the westside,\u0026rdquo; said Higgs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":243,"title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","promo_title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","published_date":"2019-01-25","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-new-resource-to-support-small-businesses-and-startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qR68Pw","created_at":"2019-01-25T09:49:57.084-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-25T10:23:19.089-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startups.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board recently approved a resolution to create a new resource, the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund. This new pilot program will support small businesses and startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We wanted to figure out what we can do to continue to cultivate the small business and startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President \u0026amp; CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Forward Loan fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startup companies located within accelerators, incubators, and other programs that provide capacity building in the City of Atlanta. Loan size will range from $5,000 to $20,000,\u0026nbsp;and between 10 to 20 small business will receive financing. Funding for the new pilot program will be reprogrammed from the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Loan Fund and managed by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With initiatives like the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund, we will continue to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a top-ranked city for small business owners and entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Bottoms and Invest Atlanta are committed to supporting the nearly 20,000 small businesses that choose to call Atlanta home. The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund joins the list of several other small business resources that Invest Atlanta offers including \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eloan programs\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/business-assistance\"\u003ebusiness assistance\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLInBusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":237,"title":"Responsive Surface Technology, LLC Receives Follow-On Funding Through AEMI","promo_title":"Responsive Surface Technology, LLC Receives Follow-On Funding Through AEMI","published_date":"2019-01-08","featured_image":{"id":780,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"rest_tech_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1027426,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:12:03.581-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-08T13:12:03.732-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.565-05:00","filename_hash":"rest_tech_insight_YBaVnXv.png","width":908,"height":543},"filename":"responsive-surface-technology-llc-receives-follow-on-funding-through-aemi","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lshVIg","created_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.531-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.531-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.restperformance.com/\"\u003eResponsive Surface Technology\u003c/a\u003e, an Atlanta-based Smart Bed and sleep technology innovator, recently\u0026nbsp;closed on\u0026nbsp;$3.2 million of additional funding from\u0026nbsp;the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.restperformance.com/\"\u003eResponsive Surface Technology\u003c/a\u003e, an Atlanta-based Smart Bed and sleep technology innovator, recently\u0026nbsp;closed on\u0026nbsp;$3.2 million of additional funding from\u0026nbsp;the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing. The capital will not only enable ReST to expand its marketing and research efforts, but also help it open its first company-owned store in West Midtown. (The company also received funding from these sources \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/atlanta-sleep-tech-innovator-to-expand-thanks-to-ia-support\"\u003elast year\u003c/a\u003e.)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched by Advantage Capital and Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund is a loan program for businesses in the City of Atlanta located in census-designated distressed neighborhoods. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program is administered through \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, a U.S. Treasury-certified community development entity. The program aims to attract private investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved neighborhoods and financially support catalytic projects that provide services or create quality jobs accessible to low-income residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing are a win-win, providing an additional source of capital to innovative companies like ReST while bringing economic investment and new jobs to other parts of the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dale Royal, President, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;We are excited to support their expansion with this additional funding and look forward to\u0026nbsp;continued\u0026nbsp;partnership as they grow in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the company expands, ReST aims to maintain its position as a world-leading sleep technology innovator. ReST is committed to expanding its Atlanta footprint by continuing to grow its operations in West Midtown and creating new jobs. The company focuses on hiring local talent, including skilled workers from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud that our performance in the year since Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initial investment gave them the confidence to offer additional funding,\u0026rdquo; said Lloyd Sommers, General Manager of ReST. \u0026ldquo;The funds will support our efforts to expand distribution so that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience why the ReST Bed\u0026trade; has become the leading Smart Bed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":236,"title":"Norfolk Southern Announces Headquarters Relocation to Atlanta","promo_title":"Norfolk Southern Announces Headquarters Relocation to Atlanta","published_date":"2018-12-13","featured_image":{"id":778,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"norfolk_souther.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":171365,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:00:22.557-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-13T12:00:22.598-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.406-05:00","filename_hash":"norfolk_souther_KDKQElx.jpg","width":1500,"height":726},"filename":"norfolk-southern-announces-headquarters-relocation-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wIb0Lg","created_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.367-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.367-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Governor Nathan Deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation will relocate its headquarters from Virginia to Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGovernor Nathan Deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation will relocate its headquarters from Virginia to Atlanta. Norfolk Southern is a premier transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products and operates the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern United States.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a major hub for both transportation and innovation, Georgia is a fitting home for Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. Norfolk Southern is purchasing property at 650 West Peachtree St. NW in Midtown and collaborating with Cousins Properties for development purposes. The company currently has existing operations in Midtown near the Woodruff Arts Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new campus will house the company\u0026rsquo;s headquarters, dispatch operations, operations and service support center, crew management center, corridor operations offices, national customer service center, administrative functions, marketing department, and police communications center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud that another Fortune 500 company will make Atlanta its home,\u0026rdquo; said Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s decision to expand its current Atlanta operations and relocate its headquarters here is a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving business community and talented workforce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta collaborated with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power to assist with the project. With this relocation, Norfolk Southern will create 850 new jobs, retain 2,025 jobs, and invest $575 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a city founded as the terminus of a railroad line, it means so much for Atlanta to have Norfolk Southern choose to locate their headquarters here,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President \u0026amp; CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The estimated $811 million economic impact the company will bring to our city will create and retain jobs, attract investment, and further strengthen our position as a top-tier transportation and logistics hub.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProgress on Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s move to Atlanta has already commenced and will span the next several years as the new headquarters is constructed. More details about the project are expected during the first quarter of 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":233,"title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","promo_title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","published_date":"2018-12-07","featured_image":{"id":771,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"downtown_skyline.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1214052,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:05.824-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:06.068-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.418-05:00","filename_hash":"downtown_skyline_eXJVpoj.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"assetmark-brings-operations-hub-to-downtown-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YldbDw","created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n AssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to welcome AssetMark to its new home in downtown Atlanta as they target their solutions to the country\u0026rsquo;s more than 300,000 independent financial advisors,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Our city\u0026rsquo;s abundance of tech talent, strong business climate, educational institutions, and \u0026nbsp;financial services ecosystem continue to attract industry leaders like AssetMark. This announcement once again demonstrates Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ability to bring top-tier financial technology companies to the heart of the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the center of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business district, the new office is in an area designated by the federal Opportunity Zones Program, which is designed to stimulate economic development through tax incentives for organizations investing in the community. The opening of AssetMark\u0026rsquo;s new office location will also create 13 new high-wage jobs in Fulton County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our excitement about this new office is twofold,\u0026rdquo; said Charles Goldman, President and CEO of AssetMark. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is a strategic investment in future AssetMark technology initiatives, and we are proud to play a part in the creation of economic opportunity in an Opportunity Zone in Georgia.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has one of the country\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing economies, and is becoming a hub of IT talent due to the city\u0026rsquo;s combination of affordable housing opportunities, local universities, and a growing community of FinTech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e101 Marietta Street features state-of-the-art amenities, including a fitness center and renovated meeting spaces. The building is close to two MARTA rail stations, providing optimal accessibility to Metro Atlanta, and is located within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Aquarium, and CNN Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":232,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta Announce New Resources to Assist Atlanta Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta Announce New Resources to Assist Atlanta Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2018-11-29","featured_image":{"id":770,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"southside_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1540253,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-29T14:30:18.021-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-29T14:30:18.104-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-30T09:54:20.409-05:00","filename_hash":"southside_insight_ZO3g2ve.png","width":1252,"height":700},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-and-invest-atlanta-announce-new-resources-to-assist-atlanta-small-businesses-and-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Vt_dkA","created_at":"2018-11-29T14:31:39.188-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-30T07:37:37.077-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta today announced the introduction of new resources to support Atlanta small businesses, including three programs focused on increasing business activity in Southside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;announced the introduction of new resources to support Atlanta small businesses, including three programs focused on increasing business activity in Southside communities. The new resources offered through Invest Atlanta and partner organizations will provide support to entrepreneurs and increase small business activity throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;To continue growing this vital sector, we need to\u0026nbsp; untap \u0026nbsp;and foster the economic potential of more Atlanta communities. Through these new tools, we are making it easier for people to achieve the dream of being a successful entrepreneur and creating greater economic prosperity for more Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eInvest Atlanta, with support from partnering organizations, will provide three new resources focused specifically on increasing entrepreneurship and businesses activity in Southside communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager\u003c/strong\u003e: A new Invest Atlanta staff position who will serve as a point person to drive economic activity and increase economic mobility of residents while preserving Southside communities.\u0026nbsp; The Southside Manager will leverage community development resources and economic development tools to support startups and small business growth, attract private sector investment, market the area to a mix of companies, and coordinate Invest Atlanta resources around targeted place-based activities occurring in the Southside. Invest Atlanta has named current staff person Erika Smith to the position.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eOne of the first priorities for the Southside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager is to work with strategic partners to develop and deploy resources to small businesses along the Campbellton Road corridor and in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Mechanicsville, Peoplestown, and Pittsburgh neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampbellton Road Small Business Renovation Program: \u003c/strong\u003eA grant program for businesses located on Campbellton Road created in partnership with Wells Fargo and Rebuilding Together Atlanta, a national not-for-profit. The program will provide up to a $12,000 for interior renovation and equipment updates to small businesses located directly on the corridor. Applications are available and due by December 3, 2018.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Business Improvement Grant for Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh \u0026amp; Peoplestown\u003c/strong\u003e: A grant program through Annie E. Casey Foundation providing up to $10,000 to small business owners and tenants to make exterior and interior improvements to their buildings. The program is in development and will be launching soon.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta recently launched \u003cstrong\u003eATLInBusiness,\u003c/strong\u003e a website to provide information on how to start and grow a business in the City of Atlanta. The site provides easy access to small business information, such as how to write a business plan, and resources available through the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Small Business Administration and other organizations. ATLInBusiness was developed by Invest Atlanta in partnership with the City of Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative and Welcoming Atlanta and is accessible at \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":231,"title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","promo_title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","published_date":"2018-11-26","featured_image":{"id":748,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart_corridor_award_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":973628,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.658-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.788-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.889-05:00","filename_hash":"smart_corridor_award_insight_vl8ppZO.png","width":1256,"height":640},"filename":"bringing-home-best-practices-and-award-at-smart-cities-expo-and-world-congress","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TwWFOw","created_at":"2018-11-26T13:21:49.170-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.858-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the \u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November. While there, Noelle London was able to learn best practices from other cities on how best to implement smart cities solutions, shed light on 5 Atlanta-based startups to connect them with global opportunities, and develop partnerships and collaboration with regional partners also working on smart cities programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe joined a Georgia delegation consisting of partners from the Metro Atlanta Chamber, City of Atlanta including the Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company and Georgia Power, Georgia Economic Development, and others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Conference, \u003ca href=\"http://www.360ns.net/\"\u003e360NS\u003c/a\u003e, Atlanta-based mobility startup, received the highest \u003ca href=\"https://www.news.gatech.edu/2018/11/16/north-ave-smart-corridor-project-honored\"\u003eInternational Mobility Award\u003c/a\u003e for their work with the North Avenue Corridor testbed for innovative technology. Invest Atlanta continues to support the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor\"\u003eNorth Avenue Corridor\u003c/a\u003e through facilitating pilots with Mobility Insights and providing other smart tech opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This corridor is becoming the most connected one in the state of Georgia, serving as a living lab for active, multi-modal traffic management through technology deployment and data analytics,\u0026quot; the award announcement stated. \u0026quot;Smart technology solutions applied here are improving roadway and public safety, mobility and the environment.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;participated in a panel discussion at the USA Pavilion on our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched\"\u003eAgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e project that is a part of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program. The IA team was joined on the panel by representatives from the City of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the speaking engagement allowed IA to highlight Atlanta\u0026#39;s strength in implementation through the use of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":230,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Federal Opportunity Zones Workshop","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Federal Opportunity Zones Workshop","published_date":"2018-11-20","featured_image":{"id":745,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oz_workshop.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1087270,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-20T09:43:55.606-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-20T09:43:55.734-05:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:30:04.918-04:00","filename_hash":"oz_workshop_vl8LYJO.png","width":1200,"height":622},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-federal-opportunity-zones-workshop","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Fmjcqw","created_at":"2018-11-20T09:44:18.888-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-20T09:48:28.284-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n On Thursday, November 15, Invest Atlanta hosted a learning session about Federal Opportunity Zones. This new program is a new tool the City of Atlanta can use to drive investment where it is needed most.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, November 15, Invest Atlanta hosted a learning session about Federal Opportunity Zones. This new program is a new tool the City of Atlanta can use to drive investment where it is needed most.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese new Federal Opportunity Zones represent the first new federal incentive for community development in 15 years, with\u0026nbsp;the potential to drive millions of dollars in private investment to support our businesses and economic growth. (Through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, the federal government\u0026rsquo;s last major community development effort, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) has successfully guided over $200 million in investments to local neighborhoods.) The City of Atlanta has\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/federal-opportunity-zones\"\u003e27 Qualified Opportunity Zones\u003c/a\u003e, and Invest Atlanta played a critical role in recommending Census Tracts to\u0026nbsp;Governor Nathan Deal for selection.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe workshop is an important first step in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s efforts to connect eligible projects to Opportunity Zone investors. \u0026nbsp;Attendees were provided information to help them gain a greater understanding of what this new tax incentive offers and how to act. In attendance were several members of the Atlanta City Council, business owners, real estate developers, investors, and many other stakeholders. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event featured two knowledgeable and engaging speakers. Brad Elphick is a Partner in the Atlanta office of Novogradac \u0026amp; Company, one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading accounting firms.\u0026nbsp;He specializes in developer consulting with an emphasis in community development financing programs. Ross Baird is President at Village Capital Group, a global leader in impact investing, who specializes in developing programs to provide venture capital for start-ups, technology businesses, and ventures that revitalize communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eElphic gave a detailed overview of how the new Federal Opportunity Zones incentive works, while Baird provided insight on what Opportunity Zones investors see as good strategies to utilize this new incentive to achieve good outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about our program, visit our Federal Opportunity Zones page \u003ca href=\"/federal-opportunity-zones\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":227,"title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2018-11-07","featured_image":{"id":741,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"switch_modern_1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":744745,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.677-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.716-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-20T10:02:27.981-05:00","filename_hash":"switch_modern_1_lpJkZg1.png","width":1000,"height":464},"filename":"switch-modern-thriving-in-west-midtown-with-an-assist-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h-YiKA","created_at":"2018-11-07T12:47:48.749-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:51:35.451-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Switch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta for a small business loan at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRoy Otwell and Doug Henderson, the co-owners of the modern home furnishings seller Switch Modern, launched their business when they had already established successful careers. (The \u0026ldquo;Switch\u0026rdquo; in their company name is a reference to their career changes.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We were already middle-aged,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell, \u0026ldquo;and decided to make a change for all things design.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the two work together to sell luxury home furniture, upholstery, lighting, and accessories. They have a showroom in West Midtown and do a good deal of business online at their site, \u003ca href=\"https://www.switchmodern.com/\"\u003eswitchmodern.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe business is thriving, in large part because Otwell and Henderson work so well together.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The beauty of the partnership is that there\u0026rsquo;s always somebody else who has an opinion that you can rely upon, who can fill in for you, has knowledge that is better than yours,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey originally opened the business in 2002 as a single-brand showroom featuring products form Italian company Polyform. They have since expanded out to feature more than 80 brands, with clients from across the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Doug likes to say we sell everything from the front door to the back door, except the front door and the back door,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA big part of the value proposition they offer is the curation of products with timeless designs, some of which date back 120 years. In addition, they provide top-notch, personalized service to all their clients. This has created a good a strong reserve of customer loyalty over the years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What we try to do is make that process as easy and pain-free for customers as possible so they can have fun doing it,\u0026rdquo; Henderson said of the Switch modern sales experience. \u0026ldquo;And then let us take care of the difficult work behind the scenes the customer never needs to know about.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That was coming out of the Recession, no banks lending anything,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;We needed to do what we could to piece together the right financial package and certainly Invest Atlanta was one of those. They had a nice little package for this side of town, specifically the zone that we were in, that made it possible for us to have access to some funds.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company secured a loan that helped them move into their\u0026nbsp;expanded 25,000 square-foot showroom in West Midtown. The two had what they described as a \u0026ldquo;wonderful\u0026rdquo; experience working closely with IA\u0026rsquo;s Lonnie Saboor and Cynthia Freeman to secure the loan through one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they approach two decades of being in business, Otwell and Henderson have no regrets, though they do have some advice to offer those thinking of jumping into entrepreneurship.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a wonderful, terrible thing,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;You work harder, you work longer, you never not work. But at the same time, you have the gratification of seeing some fruits of your labor. You get to see directly what works and while you\u0026rsquo;re responsible, you get to bathe in the glory and get the satisfaction.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":226,"title":"BlackRock's New Innovation Center to Create 1,000 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"BlackRock's New Innovation Center to Create 1,000 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-10-25","featured_image":{"id":739,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"blackrock_image.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":989808,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-07T09:55:40.393-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-07T09:55:40.507-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:36.050-05:00","filename_hash":"blackrock_image_PgnYLYN.png","width":1000,"height":498},"filename":"blackrock-bringing-1000-jobs-to-new-innovation-center-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ik2gFA","created_at":"2018-11-07T09:56:37.096-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-07T10:12:52.531-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n BlackRock, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest asset management firm and a technology solutions provider, has chosen Atlanta for the company\u0026rsquo;s newest Innovation Hub. BlackRock plans to build its presence in the City of Atlanta, partner with the Atlanta business community and local universities, and create 1,000 career opportunities over the next several years.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBlackRock, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest asset management firm and a technology solutions provider, has chosen Atlanta for the company\u0026rsquo;s newest Innovation Hub. BlackRock plans to build its presence in the City of Atlanta, partner with the Atlanta business community and local universities, and create 1,000 career opportunities over the next several years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s culture of collaboration with public and private stakeholders bolsters our region\u0026rsquo;s economy, creates well-paying jobs and expands economic opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The opening of BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Innovation Hub continues this legacy and we look forward to welcoming and working with them.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy expanding in Atlanta, BlackRock will extend its technology capabilities and enjoy proximity to top universities, including Georgia Tech, where BlackRock currently sponsors the BlackRock Hallac Scholarship for socioeconomically disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s decision to locate in Atlanta is a testament to the strength of our rapidly growing technology ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Technology business expansions in 2018 alone are projected to create an economic impact of $500 million as these companies make thousands of new hires and millions of dollars of capital investment. BlackRock is at the forefront of investment tech and will join more than 20 corporate innovation centers here that make us a top-tier city for corporate innovation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovative companies like BlackRock have been attracted to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s talent, affordability, accessibility, infrastructure,\u0026nbsp;and booming tech ecosystem. Atlanta has recently welcomed the expansion of Pandora, the new Georgia Pacific Innovation Center, Starbucks\u0026rsquo; east coast shared services facility, and the expansion of Salesforce. These four expansions will create over 1,400 jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta innovation hub is an example of BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s strategy to serve clients globally and locally and we are excited to build our presence in the area over the next several years,\u0026rdquo; said BlackRock Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta was chosen for its skilled and diverse talent pool, thriving business community and high quality of life as we look to attract top talent and constantly innovate how we operate.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":223,"title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","promo_title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","published_date":"2018-10-16","featured_image":{"id":726,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"salesforce_tower_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":843584,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:57.957-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:58.062-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.523-04:00","filename_hash":"salesforce_tower_insight_wjNDKE8.png","width":1183,"height":538},"filename":"salesforce-bringing-600-jobs-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sgVc9A","created_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:10.044-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.492-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Salesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta. The company will grow its footprint to seven floors in its existing building, The Atlanta Plaza, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce joins other market-leading global brands that have recently announced plans to grow their operations in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be a top choice for companies looking for a talented workforce, quality-of-life, and a welcoming and inclusive business community. The Salesforce cloud will be an exciting addition to our ever-evolving skyline.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce , the global leader in CRM, announced Salesforce Tower Atlanta, significantly expanding the company\u0026rsquo;s regional headquarters in Atlanta. As part of the expansion, Salesforce plans to add 600 new jobs locally, over the next five years, helping fuel the city\u0026rsquo;s economic development. The company will grow its footprint in The Atlanta Plaza in Buckhead, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta. Salesforce employees will start moving into the newly renovated floors beginning in 2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce Tower Atlanta joins the ranks of other Salesforce regional headquarters, including Salesforce Tower New York, Salesforce Tower Indianapolis, Salesforce Tower London, and the company\u0026rsquo;s worldwide headquarters, Salesforce Tower San Francisco.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Top global tech firms like Salesforce are choosing Atlanta to access our highly skilled workforce, advanced technology infrastructure and academic institutions,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;A majority of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent new business activity has been in technology and related industry sectors, which has created more than 2,300 new technology-focused jobs so far this year. We are proud to have Salesforce plant deeper roots in Atlanta and look forward to working closely with the company as they continue to grow here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce has been named one of Fortune\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work for the past 10 years and was recently ranked one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Salesforce Tower Atlanta will be a hub for world-class, diverse talent, enabling the company to deliver new innovations to its more than 150,000 customers around the world. Salesforce has nearly 600 employees in the Atlanta area and more than 32,000 employees worldwide. Atlanta is home to many Salesforce customers including Coca-Cola, InterContinental Hotels Group, SunTrust and Kabbage.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce continues to reach new heights and we\u0026rsquo;re thrilled to further our commitment to the city of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Elizabeth Pinkham, EVP, Real Estate, Salesforce. \u0026ldquo;Salesforce Tower Atlanta provides a one-of-a-kind workspace where all of our employees can do the best work of their lives while supporting the community by giving back.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":220,"title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","promo_title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","published_date":"2018-10-04","featured_image":{"id":722,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"beltline_urban_farm_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":734194,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.455-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.826-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.720-04:00","filename_hash":"beltline_urban_farm_insight_NnLm8l3.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ix3iEQ","created_at":"2018-10-01T15:02:54.466-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.690-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power, launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power,\u0026nbsp;launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the \u003ca href=\"http://www.iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo improve food resilience at home and abroad, the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge will select six solutions to tackle this issue via IoT. Startups are encouraged to collaborate to provide one complete and innovative AgTech solution. The selected startups will get access to a 20-foot shipping container along the Atlanta Beltline to pilot their AgTech over the course of 12-months as part of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project provides startups with opportunities for proof of concept, which can be helpful in a critical stage of a startup\u0026#39;s life cycle,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026quot;Engaging the next generation of agricultural technology startups in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge gives entrepreneurs the chance to test and validate their technologies over 12 months in a real-life urban setting. Our partnerships with entrepreneurs have the potential to not only improve our city\u0026#39;s health, environment, and economy, but also to change the world.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom seed production to farming to food processing, agriculture technology (AgTech) is fast-becoming an answer to growing global food shortages. By 2050 the projected food demand will increase anywhere between 59 to 98 percent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Metro Atlanta Chamber and City of Atlanta are developing partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure the fresh produce grown in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge pilot is received by those needing it the most.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;As Atlanta goes through tremendous growth, we want equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do,\u0026quot; said Cynthia Curry, Director of IoT for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. \u0026quot;The goal of the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge is to unearth new, viable food resilience solutions for our city and other cities as they scale.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuluth-based agricultural equipment manufacturer, AGCO will provide the shipping containers, and through their Fuse smart farming platform, AGCO will we collaborate and exchange ideas with AgTech startups.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Now more than ever, it is critical that we develop an accessible, equitable, and resilient local food system for One Atlanta,\u0026quot; said Amol Naik, City of Atlanta Chief Resilience Officer. \u0026quot;We are excited that AgTech has been selected as the first challenge of the Living Labs program and look forward to seeing how innovation and technology will maximize the efficacy of urban agriculture - all while raising awareness of these critical issues on the Atlanta Beltline.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta Beltline, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community during the pilot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications are open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge and will remain open until November 2. Interested candidates residing outside of Atlanta are encouraged to \u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWZ95QZ\"\u003eapply here\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":221,"title":"Invest Atlanta Takes Home Two IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Takes Home Two IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards","published_date":"2018-10-03","featured_image":{"id":723,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"iedc_awards_twitter.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":582007,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:00:00.917-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-04T10:00:01.107-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:53.546-04:00","filename_hash":"iedc_awards_twitter_NnLz6nJ.png","width":1000,"height":500},"filename":"invest-atlanta-takes-home-two-iedc-excellence-in-economic-development-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XWUnNw","created_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:21.927-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:53.515-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its I-85 Alive Business Rapid Response project in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event. In addition, Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development\u0026nbsp;Award in\u0026nbsp;the category of Equity and Diversity for its work within the Westside Tax Allocation District.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development awards at the 2018 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) annual conference held this week in Atlanta. IEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its I-85 Alive Business Rapid Response project in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event. In addition, Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award\u0026nbsp;in the category of Equity and Diversity for its work within the Westside Tax Allocation District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It is an honor to have the work and dedication of the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development team recognized by the world\u0026rsquo;s most prestigious economic development organization,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;What makes it even more special is that we are being recognized for helping small businesses through a man-made disaster, and our efforts around equity in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods. We hope other economic development agencies around the world can learn from these efforts and implement similar initiatives in their own communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair. \u0026ldquo;We congratulate all the award winners, and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI-85 Alive Business Rapid Response \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e2018 IEDC Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award: Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta mobilized to support businesses affected by the March 2017, I-85 overpass fire in Atlanta. An I-85 Alive Small Business Resource Event gave business owners an opportunity to meet with local service providers and assess their options. At the event, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s partners offered attendees technical assistance, information about business loans, consulting, and other resources. Featured partners came from more than a dozen business and community organizations, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center, private banks, WorkSource Atlanta, and City officials. Additionally, in partnership with Lyft, transportation options and discounts were offered to make it easier for workers and patrons to access affected\u0026nbsp;businesses. For businesses located within a 1-mile radius of the closure, most merchants experienced immediate declines in economic activity when the road closed, followed by a rebound in sales after I-85 reopened.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWestside Tax Allocation District (TAD) \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2018 IEDC Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award: Equity \u0026amp; Inclusion\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1992, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and the Atlanta School Board established the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to spur public and private investment in the neighborhoods west of Downtown Atlanta. Invest Atlanta redoubled these efforts in 2013 through a planning process that engaged more than 300 community stakeholders, focusing on the historic neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue, and portions of Castleberry Hill.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta has focused on increasing equity and inclusion through positive redevelopment within the Westside TAD and administering the tax allocation district financing process. These investments have helped to nurture a more vibrant and connected community by enhancing Downtown tourism and building an entertainment core; creating and retaining jobs; building a vibrant office and retail core; supporting mixed-income housing; and improving transportation and pedestrian access.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":222,"title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","promo_title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","published_date":"2018-10-02","featured_image":{"id":724,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"startup_exchange_logo_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":625571,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.576-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.704-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.486-04:00","filename_hash":"startup_exchange_logo_insight_RJL6eZw.png","width":1000,"height":412},"filename":"atlanta-international-startup-exchange-connects-businesses-with-new-global-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-D-Z9Q","created_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:31.027-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.456-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the 2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e. The one-week international residency will provide Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in France. Four Toulouse-based companies will also travel to Atlanta as part of the program.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides businesses in Atlanta with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve sustainable growth,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;It is important to build and maintain productive relationships with our growing international community as the City continues to attract new residents and investments from around the globe.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRepresentatives from ThingTech, Loupe LLC, TC Poly, and Blind Tiger Communications traveled Toulouse on September 30, 2018 through October 7 during the EmTech Conference. During the week, the startups will meet with French entrepreneurs, European decision makers, investors, and executives in their respective sectors.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;In today\u0026rsquo;s global economy, it is vital for startups to gain early access to international markets,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In fact, companies exporting beyond our borders grow 20 percent faster and are less likely to go out of business. Through the International Startup Exchange, the City of Atlanta is giving our startups the chance to tap into new customers and funding opportunities. Atlanta is a global city, and part of that means hosting international startups, so they can see all of our city\u0026rsquo;s assets as they look to grow and expand.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFour Toulouse-based startups, Geotrend, VUF, Pixstart, and VYFE, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta from October 15-19, 2018. The visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients. Atlanta and Toulouse partnered for the exchange based on the strength of their existing relationships and shared growing industries.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Sister cities Toulouse and Atlanta are ideal partners in this startup exchange. Toulouse is the home of Airbus, and Atlanta has the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest airport. Atlanta is rich in Fortune 500 companies, and Toulouse has world-renowned research institutions. It is our pleasure to welcome the Toulouse startups each year and watch them expand their global reach using the connections they make while here,\u0026rdquo; said Louis de Corail, French Consul General in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016 during the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Atlanta-Toulouse sister city relationship. The program expanded to the United Kingdom when it returned for a second year in October 2017.\u0026nbsp; Last year, the Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded the Sister Cities International 2017 Economic Development Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":218,"title":"Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Auburn Seafood Approaching 4th Anniversary","promo_title":"Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Auburn Seafood Celebrates 4th Anniversary","published_date":"2018-09-12","featured_image":{"id":720,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sweet_auburn_seafood.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":952316,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:06.462-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:06.707-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:21:31.385-04:00","filename_hash":"sweet_auburn_seafood_lpXVByv.jpg","width":5760,"height":2844},"filename":"small-business-spotlight-sweet-auburn-seafood-celebrates-4th-anniversary","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dJ7q9g","created_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:38.817-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:21:31.311-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Now approaching its fourth year in operation, Sweet Auburn Seafood is the largest restaurant along the Auburn Avenue corridor, providing an upscale, white tablecloth dining option for those living in or visiting Downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSweet Auburn Seafood owner Paul WIlliams didn\u0026rsquo;t grow up in Atlanta, but as a child, he read\u0026nbsp;about Auburn Avenue. For decades, the \u0026ldquo;Sweet Auburn\u0026rdquo; area was known nationwide as a key commercial corridor where African-American entrepreneurs could thrive.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This was the commercial hub for black businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Williams. \u0026ldquo;I really wanted\u0026nbsp;my name, my family name, to be part of the resurgence of this area.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe walls of the restaurant pay homage to this area\u0026#39;s unique history. Diners can see photos of people like Alonzo Herndon, the former slave who went on to found the Atlanta Life Insurance Company,\u0026nbsp;Herman J. Russell, who built a lasting legacy a leader in commercial real estate development in Atlanta, and of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birth home sits a few blocks away.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve tried to provide some sense of what the area used to look like,\u0026rdquo; said Williams.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Sweet Auburn Seafood is the largest restaurant along the corridor, providing an upscale, white tablecloth dining option for those living in or visiting Downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWilliams was a Wendy\u0026rsquo;s franchise for 20-plus years before he decided to create his own\u0026nbsp;independent restaurant brand. He chose to serve seafood, partly to differentiate\u0026nbsp;from the other restaurants in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We said, \u0026lsquo;Well, let\u0026rsquo;s do something different, let\u0026rsquo;s give the area something different,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd though he admits it\u0026rsquo;s been \u0026ldquo;challenging and intimidating\u0026rdquo; at times, his restaurant has now been in operation since 2014. Customers appreciate how the restaurant pays homage to the area\u0026rsquo;s history and provides delicious food with high-caliber service.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta provided Sweet Auburn Seafood with a small business loan a few years ago to help them purchase kitchen equipment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWilliams\u0026rsquo; advice for entrepreneurs: make sure this is really what you want to do.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is not the kind of business that you want to try and see if you like it,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s got to be in your blood because it\u0026rsquo;s going to test you over and over and over every day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;You\u0026rsquo;ve got to be committed to it to be successful at it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":216,"title":"Starbucks Bringing 500 Jobs to City of Atlanta","promo_title":"Starbucks Bringing 500 Jobs to City of Atlanta","published_date":"2018-08-31","featured_image":{"id":830,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"coffee.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":654934,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:14.654-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:14.801-05:00","updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:35.220-05:00","filename_hash":"coffee_azP1qaW.png","width":1200,"height":630},"filename":"starbucks-bringing-500-jobs-to-city-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jKTVjA","created_at":"2018-09-11T13:49:34.110-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:35.180-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Starbucks Corp. announced they will continue to grow its presence in Georgia by creating up to 500 jobs in a new east coast satellite office in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStarbucks Corp. announced they will continue to grow its presence in Georgia by creating up to 500 jobs in a new east coast satellite office in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a competitive project that Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power worked on in partnership. The company will create an estimated 500 fulltime jobs, with a total expected investment of around $16 million and an economic impact of $190 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased Starbucks has chosen Atlanta for this satellite office and look forward to extending a warm welcome as they expand here,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, Starbucks will be part of a diverse and inclusive business community with many benefits like sought-after talent, prestigious academic institutions and unrivaled quality of life in our many eclectic neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved an Economic Opportunity Fund grant of up to $250,000 to support the creation of the satellite office. This office will operate as an extension of the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle and will provide the company access to a large pool of talent. Starbucks has more than 300 stores that operate in the state of Georgia, also home to the company\u0026rsquo;s Soluble Plant in Augusta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more pleased that a globally-recognized brand like Starbucks has chosen metro Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. \u0026ldquo;Welcoming such an innovative, household name to our region reminds us why metro Atlanta is now and next.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;From Augusta to Atlanta, we couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more proud that Starbucks continues to invest in Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;When a company as renowned as Starbucks commits to our state, it echoes what we already know: we are the No. 1 state for business. This project was a true collaboration between the state, City of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power. Thank you to all parties involved.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":212,"title":"Small Business Spotlight: Marley Media Productions Films Everything From Falcons to Beyoncé","promo_title":"Small Business Spotlight: Marley Media Productions Films Everything From Falcons to Beyoncé","published_date":"2018-08-30","featured_image":{"id":702,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"marley_media.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1029467,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-22T10:33:27.402-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-22T10:33:27.465-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T11:19:50.626-04:00","filename_hash":"marley_media_jpQMpWY.png","width":1000,"height":531},"filename":"small-business-spotlight-marley-media-productions-films-everything-from-falcons-to-beyonce","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5xEhhw","created_at":"2018-08-22T10:34:53.141-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T11:19:50.582-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.marleymediaproductions.com/\"\u003eMarley Media Productions\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;based in the City of Atlanta, has been telling stories through film and video for nearly a quarter century. The company ​handles the majority of filming for commercials and other video production for the NFL at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.marleymediaproductions.com/\"\u003eMarley Media Productions\u003c/a\u003e has been telling stories through film and video for nearly a quarter century. They\u0026rsquo;ve done it using their unique docu-film style that puts the viewer in the middle of the action, whether it\u0026rsquo;s on the field at an Atlanta Falcons game or onstage with Beyonc\u0026eacute;.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Atlanta, the company handles the entire creative process\u0026mdash;from pre-production to post-production\u0026mdash;including services like on-location camera work, editing, graphic design, and event integration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We do it all,\u0026rdquo; said Mark Eschoe, who runs the this one-stop production shop with his partner Kiyomi Rollins. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re always busy doing content creation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMarley Media Productions handles the majority of filming for commercials and other video production for the NFL at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. They\u0026rsquo;ve also provided services for a wide variety of other well-known national brands, including Major League Soccer, the NCAA, and Energy Monster Truck events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The majority of our clients are sports-related,\u0026rdquo; said Rollins. \u0026ldquo;That client is coming to us because they need help creating video content created for website, social media, or marketing activation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey also document concerts, and recently they had the opportunity to collaborate with Beyonc\u0026eacute; to film her concerts\u0026mdash;not once, but twice.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve done a bunch of things production-wise, but very few people can say they were on stage with\u0026nbsp;Beyonc\u0026eacute; and Jay Z,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRunning the company is a dream come true for Eschoe, who was born and raised in Jamaica and lived in Brooklyn for several years. He moved to Atlanta after graduating from film school.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since I was a kid, I was always amazed by storytelling,\u0026rdquo; he said. Soon after he arrived in Atlanta, he drove down Northside Drive near the Georgia Dome and saw a video playing about the Atlanta Falcons.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I looked up at the Jumbotron that was there, and I remember looking up, \u0026lsquo;Wow, what a great feeling that must be, whoever is doing this,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It was just kind of like a dream.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith Rollins, Eschoe has made that dream a reality, creating a media production company after their daughter Marley. (She was named after the legendary reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley.) They settled on the name because they wanted to be meaningful and \u0026ldquo;something that just lasts forever.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMarley Media Productions separates itself by staying on the cutting-edge of new filming technologies, like drone services, and staying up-to-date on always evolving video format standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Because we do come from a very technical base, we\u0026rsquo;re looking at those things and that\u0026rsquo;s what allows us to be successful,\u0026rdquo; said Rollins. \u0026ldquo;You have to be aware of what the industry trends are and know your customer.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBetween them, Eschoe and Rollins have decades of entrepreneurial experience. They also currently own\u0026nbsp;and operate\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegoodhairshop.com/\"\u003eThe Good Hair Shop\u003c/a\u003e in Westview, where they sell plant-based natural hair products. With the help of a small business loan from Invest Atlanta, they\u0026#39;ve been able to sustain and grow her business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond financial resources, Eschoe and Rollins have received additional assistance through Invest Atlanta Small Business Development Director Lonnie Saboor, someone that they\u0026rsquo;ve come to \u0026ldquo;adore.\u0026rdquo; He\u0026rsquo;s provided them with much-needed advice and helped them prepare for new market opportunities through supplier diversity programs. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Talking to Lonnie, it was the first time that I met someone in that position that I felt got it,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;He gives you a listening ear of empathy that I\u0026rsquo;ve just never had.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What I didn\u0026rsquo;t realize initially that Invest Atlanta is kind of like a long-term support system. They\u0026rsquo;re really great at doing those follow-ups.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":211,"title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2018-08-15","featured_image":{"id":696,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":731925,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:58.900-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:59.160-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:35.878-04:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_2_zm4Pa9X.jpg","width":5409,"height":3606},"filename":"innovative-partnership-awards-200000-to-four-atlanta-civic-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PEwetA","created_at":"2018-08-15T10:15:26.635-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:22.032-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, an effort created in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage civic entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community impact in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With these investments, we\u0026rsquo;re supporting Atlanta entrepreneurs working on the front lines, each and every day, to make a positive impact on other peoples\u0026rsquo; lives and improve the overall equity, health, and inclusivity of our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and a member of the AEMI board. \u0026ldquo;The innovative solutions and commitment these female entrepreneurs bring to their efforts will create new jobs and balanced economic growth in their communities. I am proud that the City of Atlanta continues to stand at the forefront of supporting early-stage social impact businesses and look forward to working with the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and the Center for Civic Innovation to grow this program well into the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person\u0026hellip;not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach organization contributed $100,000 to fund early-stage civic entrepreneurs. In July 2018, four applicants were selected to receive the $200,000 in total funding: ChopArt, Dashboard US, The Dharma Project, and re:imagine/ATL. All four of the women leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s Civic Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development and coaching program for civic entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 to empower women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The Civic Impact Loan Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These women represent the greatest assets of our economy\u0026mdash;our civic problem solvers,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations. Civic Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalika Whitley | ChopArt\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eworks to extend dignity, community, and opportunity to youth experiencing homelessness through multidisciplinary arts immersion and mentorship. This investment will allow ChopArt to formalize its service offerings and increase their internal capacity, which will allow them to expand their client base to shelters across the region and country.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeth Malone | Dashboard US\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;specializes in artist-led projects that use human-centered design to re-imagine the way we all experience our environments, improve livability, and preserve culture in our communities. Dashboard works in neighborhoods and communities with high amounts of distressed property and their projects bring these buildings and spaces to life.\u0026nbsp; The organization aims to create 100 new part-time jobs for community members and 10 permanent jobs every year over the next three years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRutu Chaudhari | The Dharma Project\u003c/strong\u003e provides mindfulness and yoga classes to those working in professions that face high levels of trauma and stress, such as police officers, first responders, and teachers. The loan will allow them to increase revenue and expand services into more schools, police precincts, and communities in Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusanna Spiccia |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ere\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eimagine\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;/ATL\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to empower the next generation of storytellers through film and digital media production by training students and connecting them directly to professionals in the industry. The business plans to use the funding to grow and scale their programs to reach more students and expand into new cities across the United States.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its second year of operation, the Civic Impact Loan Fund has provided funding to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in a diverse set of impact areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education. Last year, Civic Impact Loan Fund loans were awarded to 2016 Civic Innovation Fellows honorCode and Marddy\u0026rsquo;s and 2017 Food Innovation Fellow (in partnership with Food Well Alliance) Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden. The success of the first class in creating strong community impact demonstrated proof of concept for the fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":210,"title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","promo_title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","published_date":"2018-08-06","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"flatironcity-atlantas-future-within-a-historic-landmark","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oViQ0A","created_at":"2018-08-06T13:51:20.345-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-09T11:04:07.762-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team recently visited\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta team recently visited \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSonia Sequeira, FlatironCity\u0026rsquo;s Community Manager, was kind enough to show us around, tell us more about the building\u0026rsquo;s history, and share their vision of supporting entrepreneurs in the heart of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The developer envisioned transforming the building as a destination for start-ups, small business and enterprise companies creating an urban business community leveraging each other\u0026rsquo;s work culture, with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s partnership,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;A big part of that is: how do you get more entrepreneurs Downtown? How can you bring more innovation here? And then, how does that result in more development in this whole area?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a\u0026nbsp; Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120-year-old Flatiron Building opened in 1897\u0026mdash;five years before the one in New York\u0026mdash;and is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest standing skyscraper. The whole building was gutted, renovated, and reopened about two years ago as a \u0026ldquo;melting pot\u0026rdquo; for entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of the vision of the building is that companies will grow from the co-working floor to take a bigger space within it,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026ldquo;You have an entrepreneur who\u0026rsquo;s just starting out, and as they\u0026rsquo;re growing, they can grow within the building rather than continually changing their address.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.volantio.com/\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e is a company that has grown quickly within the walls of FlatironCity. The company helps airlines better utilize their capacity, providing value for both their clients and airline passengers. They started with just three people working in a single office suite and have since grown to take up a floor of the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther FlatironCity tenants include the creative digital agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.launchagency.com/\"\u003eLaunch\u003c/a\u003e, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWEI\u003c/a\u003e), Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eACE\u003c/a\u003e), an industrial design company, and a culinary tour operator.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building\u0026rsquo;s design contains call-backs to its history, as well as flourishes such as a caf\u0026eacute; lined with work from local artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;One of our goals is to connect entrepreneurs in our space through their interests outside of work as well, so we\u0026rsquo;ve hosted live music, the Peachfest\u0026nbsp;food festival downtown, and coffee tastings\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRight outside the building along the new Broad Street boardwalk plaza, a \u0026ldquo;smart city canvas,\u0026rdquo; in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is being tested out. This testing ground gives IoT tech startups the opportunity to demonstrate their products in a real-world environment. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/single-post/2018/04/19/bedowntown-Introducing-Soofa-the-new-tech-on-Broad-Street\"\u003eSoofa\u003c/a\u003e has installed solar-powered benches where passersby can charge their wireless devices.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s no surprise that FlatironCity was awarded the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year\"\u003e2017 Project of the Year\u003c/a\u003e by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":209,"title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","promo_title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","published_date":"2018-08-03","featured_image":{"id":687,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dragon_army.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":829884,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.305-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.368-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.730-04:00","filename_hash":"dragon_army_lpkjrDP.png","width":1000,"height":517},"filename":"the-willoughby-opensdoors-dragon-army-and-dagger","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CghV0Q","created_at":"2018-08-03T11:16:25.721-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.685-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward. Invest Atlanta was invited on a quick tour of the new building\u0026nbsp;with our economic development partners from the State of Georgia and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta assisted the companies with their launch strategy, helped them get more involved with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup community, and pointed them towards the critical business resources in Atlanta that will be crucial as they manage important client relationships.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.dragonarmy.com/\"\u003eDragon Army\u003c/a\u003e focuses on web, mobile, and innovation, and its client roster includes\u0026nbsp;Coca-Cola, HoneyBaked Ham, Turner and United Way, to name a few. Many of the company\u0026#39;s nearly 50 employees are graduates of local colleges and universities. (And FYI, they\u0026#39;re currently\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://dragonarmy.com/jobs/\"\u003ehiring\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;as they plan to create 200+ jobs in Atlanta!)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on innovation and emerging technologies, so mobile, AR, VR, AI, chat/voice and wearables are all key areas where we play,\u0026rdquo; said Director of Corporate Communications Jessica Carruth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company has moved multiple times in a short period, from the Atlanta Tech Village to a Midtown office to a floor they rented from Georgia State University. Now they plan to quickly grow into their new space in the\u0026nbsp;Willoughby building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For those folks who have been here since the start, which is about 5 years ago, we\u0026rsquo;ve never fully settled in a place that felt truly ours,\u0026rdquo; said Jenn Leahy, SVP of Business Development and Client Partnerships at Dragon Army. Leahy added that after an extensive search for the right new home, they\u0026#39;d finally \u0026ldquo;hit it all\u0026rdquo; with The Willoughby.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTheir agency neighbor at the new development, the content strategy agency \u003ca href=\"http://dagger.agency/\"\u003eDagger\u003c/a\u003e, concentrates on content creation, video production, and in-depth analytics research. They have 40+ employees and serve a diverse roster of clients that includes NCR, AFLAC, and Sweetwater Brewery. Both Dragon Army and Dagger have worked with IHG, and the American Cancer Society.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Willoughby is located within walking distance of the Atlanta BeltLine. The brand-new development offers \u003ca href=\"https://atlanta.curbed.com/atlanta-development/2018/7/19/17590706/beltline-first-office-building-the-willoughby-dagger\"\u003e60,000 square feet of space\u003c/a\u003e, a caf\u0026eacute;, and a communal rooftop that looks out over the Downtown and Midtown Atlanta skylines. Though the development is new, the designers made sure to use reclaimed materials throughout, including recycled lighting fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second floor is currently vacant, with Dragon Army and Dagger planning to move into the available space once they expand. However, they\u0026rsquo;re currently putting it to good use by leasing the space to \u003ca href=\"https://48in48.org/atlanta/\"\u003e48in48\u003c/a\u003e, a nonprofit that builds 48 websites for 48 nonprofits during a 48-hour hackathon style event. Over the course of 48 hours, volunteers build fully functioning sites for nonprofits that bring to life the mission of each organization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The best part is the big reveal when all the nonprofits come in, and we say, \u0026lsquo;Here\u0026rsquo;s your new website!\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said Carruth. \u0026ldquo;People go crazy. It\u0026rsquo;s very rewarding.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStay tuned for information about their upcoming launch event in late August!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":208,"title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","published_date":"2018-08-01","featured_image":{"id":684,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":806651,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.244-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.287-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:56.868-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4_mp4DNP4.png","width":1000,"height":475},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-selected-for-city-accelerator-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ONcszg","created_at":"2018-08-01T09:37:54.679-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:25.629-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today. Atlanta will join four other cities in this latest City Accelerator cohort \u0026ndash; El Paso, Long Beach, Newark and Rochester \u0026ndash; who will work together over the next year to pursue a range of projects that support the growth of local minority-owned businesses and the creation of additional jobs in each community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Creating innovative ways to build opportunity and equity through job growth, business incubation and workforce training is a priority for our Administration and our city,\u0026quot; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026quot;Our vision for One Atlanta includes a city where neighborhoods, communities and businesses thrive. We look forward to working with the Citi Foundation and Living Cities through the City Accelerator to realize that goal.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City Accelerator program includes a $100,000 grant to each cohort city to support local business and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative will fund a program providing access to affordable real estate and technical assistance to economically underserved businesses in Southwest Atlanta. The initiative will be launched at Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade;, a 30-acre, mixed-use site under development in Southwest Atlanta. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, will lead the project in partnership with One Atlanta: The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Innovation and Performance and local community Partner, The Annie E. Casey Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Annie E. Casey Foundation\u0026rsquo;s focus in redeveloping Pittsburgh Yards has always been on providing more equitable opportunities for residents in Southwest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Kweku Forstall, Director of the Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Civic Site. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited that this funding has been secured and hopeful that it will seed meaningful activity for entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Annie E. Casey Foundation serves as the primary developer of Pittsburgh Yards as well as an impact investor in social service, workforce development, and financial programs for the Pittsburgh community. Through this strategic partnership, they will provide additional visionary support to redevelop Pittsburgh Yards into a commercial, industrial, and retail site on the Atlanta Beltline. Additionally, several commercial spaces at Pittsburgh Yards will be reserved for purchase by small business owners who are selected to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To achieve and sustain equitable growth, we need to ensure that businesses across the city have access to the resources and assistance they need to compete in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing economy,\u0026rdquo; continued Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The real estate development program at Pittsburgh Yards will be a catalytic project to spur economic activity in Southwest Atlanta communities by creating new opportunities for area business owners and emerging enterprises.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth. In addition to providing access to affordable commercial space at Pittsburgh Yards, the project team will offer technical assistance to help sole proprietorships increase business value by expanding hiring opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll five cities selected for this Accelerator program are considered majority-minority communities based on socio-economic makeup, where more than 50 percent of a city\u0026rsquo;s population represents social, ethnic and/or racial minorities. This classification is primary for urban centers to address the barriers minority-owned businesses face, including access to capital, connections to industries, and navigating regulations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Cities can have a disproportionately positive impact on local entrepreneurial ecosystems and the creation of good jobs\u0026rdquo;, said Living Cities President and CEO Ben Hecht. \u0026ldquo;The cities in this latest initiative will be showing how they can harness all of their assets to support and grow businesses owned by the nation\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing populations\u0026mdash;people of color\u0026mdash;and help to close racial gaps in wealth and income in their own backyards.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a $100,000 grant, each city will receive a combination of coaching, technical assistance and implementation resources in the coming year. Technical assistance for the effort will be provided by Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of Ascendant Global, an economic development consulting firm. Miller has previously served as the President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the New Orleans Business Alliance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s project, visit the City Accelerator website \u003ca href=\"http://www.governing.com/cityaccelerator/videos/Atlanta-Making-Commercial-Real-Estate-Affordable-for-Minority-Owned-Businesses.html\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and follow #CityAccelerator on Twitter.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":207,"title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","promo_title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","published_date":"2018-07-09","featured_image":{"id":674,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":718856,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.103-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.152-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.315-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1_kbExBP5.png","width":1000,"height":555},"filename":"first-group-of-students2startups-participants-praise-the-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BkrWtw","created_at":"2018-07-13T13:23:09.854-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.279-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first cohort of Students2Startups companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first cohort of \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startups\u003c/a\u003e companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants gathered together on Wednesday, July 11 at the SalesLoft offices in Midtown to learn about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem from Aly Merritt, Chief of Staff at Sales Loft, Holly Beilin Editor-in-Chief at Hypepotamus, and Noelle London, Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe lunch and learn was part of the larger Students2Startups initiative, a joint effort by Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta to develop a tech talent pipeline by subsidizing Atlanta-based students to complete entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta startups. The program also to supports growing startups with funding for some of their immediate tech talent needs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJasmine Crowe is the CEO and Founder of \u003ca href=\"https://goodr.co/\"\u003eGoodr\u003c/a\u003e, a sustainable surplus food management company that uses technology to combat hunger and food waste. The company has diverted nearly 1 million pounds of food waste from our landfills to those suffering from hunger and food insecurity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCrowe spoke highly of intern Zebedee \u0026ldquo;Zeb\u0026rdquo; McLaurin, who is currently studying at Morehouse College, and the great work he\u0026rsquo;s been doing this summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think Zeb is really amazing,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I enjoy having him because he\u0026rsquo;s assisting me in a multitude of areas, as we\u0026rsquo;re letting him explore what position would be right for him. That\u0026rsquo;s how you get the best out of people\u0026mdash;let them try things and do what they enjoy instead of giving them tasks that they may not like.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Anything that needs to be done, Jasmine and our COO, they give it to me and I\u0026rsquo;m like, \u0026lsquo;I got it,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said McLaurin.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Once I met Jasmine, I knew I had to somehow get involved in this somehow, some way. And then, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta with Students2Startups, that was it. That was the door to where I was destined to be. So I just followed through.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDannielle Boozer\u0026rsquo;s company, Rented.com, is an Atlanta startup that connects vacation rental home owners with professional property managers, and offers the owners the convenience of a fixed, guaranteed monthly rental income.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Students2Startups, Georgia State University student Kendall Glynn landed an internship as their marketing intern, enabling him to gain first-hand, paid work experience at a startup.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Working for a startup is a hustle, and you have so many things to do on a day-to-day basis, there\u0026rsquo;s really not a lot of time for anything extra,\u0026rdquo; said Boozer. \u0026ldquo;Having [Invest Atlanta] come in and vet some of the applications that were coming through from the interns and spread the word, and then connect us with the students they thought would be particularly good in the areas we needed help in\u0026mdash;that was great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":205,"title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","promo_title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","published_date":"2018-07-08","featured_image":{"id":676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"jumpfund_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":459519,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.414-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.464-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.340-04:00","filename_hash":"jumpfund_insight_vlVQjeW.png","width":1024,"height":602},"filename":"jumpfund-partners-with-ia-to-raise-52m-to-invest-in-women-led-ventures","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"T9J5pw","created_at":"2018-07-12T09:08:32.306-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.310-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business. First launched in 2013, the women-led JumpFund invested its first $2.5M fund in 18 companies with strong women leadership from Louisville, KY to Memphis, TN, to Atlanta, GA. JumpFund II was raised to continue to highlight the large gap in access to capital for women-led ventures, as well as to increase the number of women as \u0026ldquo;angel\u0026rdquo; investors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For more women-owned businesses to take the leap, they need to have access to the same venture capital opportunities as their male counterparts,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, a member of the Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Board of Directors. \u0026ldquo;Too often this hasn\u0026rsquo;t been the case, which is why we\u0026rsquo;re working to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs. By partnering with the JumpFund through the Atlanta Seed Equity Initiative, we can help narrow this gap and bring new investment to more women-led ventures in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II has investment from individuals and institutions across the Southeast and as far away as Denver, Seattle and Boston who realize the ROI potential of investing in women-led companies. A recent report by the Boston Consulting Group highlighted a 19% increase in innovation revenue from companies with diverse leadership and a 2016 study by First Round Capital found a 63% higher success rate of their portfolio companies with at least one woman founder. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, is one of those institutions participating in JumpFund II and was specifically seeking funding partners to enhance the economic competitiveness of Atlanta businesses and stimulate the creation of jobs and wealth through investments in innovative early-stage businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund launched its second fund in early 2017 and has already made investments in 9 women-led ventures, five of which are follow-on investments in current portfolio companies. JumpFund experienced early success with its investment in Partpic, an Atlanta-based company founded by CEO Jewel Burks, which sold to Amazon in 2016. JumpFund partners with other \u0026ldquo;gender lens\u0026rdquo; investors across the U.S., including Golden Seeds and Next Wave Impact Fund, which also encourages more women to invest in early stage, women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Partner Kristina Montague states, \u0026ldquo;we are investing in the change we want to see by engaging women\u0026rsquo;s capital to invest in women-led ventures with a vision to ultimately level the playing field for women building successful, high growth companies.\u0026rdquo; While JumpFund I had only women investors, JumpFund II has a \u0026ldquo;few good men\u0026rdquo; investing who also see the return potential and market gap for women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II will continue to work with accelerators, incubators, and funding partners throughout the Southeast to find early-stage ventures with strong women leadership. For more information on the JumpFund and its current portfolio, please visit www.thejumpfund.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":206,"title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","published_date":"2018-07-07","featured_image":{"id":672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"emrgy_photo_still.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":409739,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.671-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.701-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.429-04:00","filename_hash":"emrgy_photo_still_DNvKnWo.png","width":630,"height":360},"filename":"executive-corner-emrgy-ceo-emily-morris","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"LTq8jg","created_at":"2018-07-12T16:00:43.841-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.399-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/276631738","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmrgy provides a sustainable way to tap into new energy resources within existing waterways and convert that energy into clean, reliable electric power. Their small, modular flexible water turbines\u0026nbsp;can be scaled at high quantities for growth in power generation that can serve those around it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2015, Emrgy received a $30,000 investment through \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, or AEMI. (AEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006.) And in 2016, Invest Atlanta stewarded Emrgy into the Atlanta Demonstration Project, which allowed them to pilot and test their technology at the R.M. Clayton Water Treatment Plant, in partnership with the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Department of Watershed Management.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, the opportunity to test out our product and demonstrate it, pilot here in a relevant environment for a potential customer was really priceless,\u0026rdquo; said Morris. \u0026ldquo;We have a very supportive city government. We believe Atlanta is the best place to start a business given these various support activities they city can and does actively do for startups.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe added: \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be an Atlanta startup and we wave the Atlanta flag wherever we go.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":201,"title":"Civic-Based Workspace Constellations a Great Asset for Sweet Auburn","promo_title":"Civic-Based Workspace Constellations a Great Asset for Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2018-06-19","featured_image":{"id":663,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"constellations_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1139940,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:08.633-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:08.696-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-26T09:39:53.995-04:00","filename_hash":"constellations_v1_DNvkbjQ.png","width":1200,"height":686},"filename":"civic-based-workspace-constellations-a-great-asset-for-sweet-auburn","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WVfxvA","created_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:19.336-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:40:02.136-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.constellations.community/\"\u003eConstellations\u003c/a\u003e, a collaborative working space focused on community building in Sweet Auburn, is thriving thanks in part to funding the project received through\u0026nbsp;the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.constellations.community/\"\u003eConstellations\u003c/a\u003e, a collaborative working space focused on community building in Sweet Auburn, is thriving\u0026nbsp;thanks in part to funding the project received through\u0026nbsp;the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn Historic District near Downtown, the building was originally designed by the famous Atlanta architect Neel Reid as a school book repository.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGene Kansas renovated this historically significant building into a culturally-inspiring workspace that helps to celebrate the Sweet Auburn neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s long-time role as a center for African-American-owned businesses.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As our name suggests, Constellations is a place where stars come together and shine,\u0026rdquo; said Kansas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSome of these \u0026ldquo;stars\u0026rdquo; include \u003ca href=\"https://mygivingpoint.org/\"\u003eGiving Point\u003c/a\u003e, a social enterprise focused on education through service, local artist \u003ca href=\"http://www.fahamupecouart.com/\"\u003eFahamu Pecou\u003c/a\u003e, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and \u003ca href=\"https://savingplaces.org/places/atlanta-field-office#.Wyk_8adKiUk\"\u003eThe National Trust for Historic Preservation\u003c/a\u003e. All tenants agree to a minimum one a one-year lease to allow them to\u0026nbsp;establish deeper roots in the community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported the project with a $200,000 Eastside TAD Resurgens Grant.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s contribution through the Resurgens Grant allowed us to provide 25% of our space for free to community-oriented non-profits and individuals,\u0026rdquo; said Kansas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe workspace is approximately 9,500 square feet and features offices, studies, the North Star Library, dedicated desks, a board-quality conference room, the Milky Way Coffee Bar, communal areas, team rooms, and a podcast studio.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":199,"title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","promo_title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","published_date":"2018-06-11","featured_image":{"id":658,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"brightscreen_insight_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1586688,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.637-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.717-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:08.009-04:00","filename_hash":"brightscreen_insight_3_BxleJj7.png","width":1200,"height":852},"filename":"in-the-spotlight-bright-screen-studio-set-to-open-in-west-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qw0z8Q","created_at":"2018-06-11T16:53:00.231-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:07.970-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Fulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown\u0026nbsp;after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith construction nearly complete, the studio will soon offer rental space for doing smaller-scale shoots. Their target customer will be production companies making music videos, commercials, PSAs, or video interviews, as well as photographers. The grand opening will take place on Thursday, June 28.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe found the space on North Avenue with the help of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development team. After weighing her budget options and deciding to rent rather than purchase, Batra began scouting locations with a focus on the West Midtown area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I was just really struggling with finding a perfect location that would be in my budget,\u0026rdquo; she said. That\u0026rsquo;s when she reached out to IA\u0026rsquo;s Kent Spencer and Cesar Vence, whom she described as being \u0026ldquo;amazing\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;really helpful.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I told them my budget, and then beam heights because a short ceiling height would not have worked for me,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They narrowed it down and sent me a list of buildings for lease.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe chose one of the locations on the list Invest Atlanta provided\u0026mdash;a building owned by equipment rental company Keslow Camera.\u0026nbsp; The two companies will work in partnership to provide those who shoot there with the cameras and studio space they need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e has much to offer customers. For one, they have a Cyclorama, or \u0026ldquo;Cyc,\u0026rdquo; a feature that\u0026rsquo;s important for productions that don\u0026rsquo;t want to build large sets, instead adding backgrounds and other visual elements as part of the post-production editing process. The Cyc is 90-feet wide, 18-feet high, and shaped like a \u0026ldquo;U.\u0026rdquo; The unique U-shape allows for panoramic shots to be taken from multiple angles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Nobody in Atlanta has that actually,\u0026rdquo; said Batra. \u0026ldquo;There are a lot of Cycloramas, but they\u0026rsquo;re all L-shaped with one corner. What we have is a U shape, so you get two corners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBright Screen also offers high-quality lighting options: Kino Flo Image 80s that can light the entire Cyc wall.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It helps when a smaller production company\u0026rsquo;s coming,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They don\u0026rsquo;t have to worry about bringing their lighting equipment because they can use the pre-lighting options that I have already.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBatra wants to encourage other women who want to pursue their passion and launch an entrepreneurial venture in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s important that I kind of give back to the community, especially to women in the film industry or in production,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I would say to them, do your research and obviously follow your passion, but also make connections with people that are really going to help you, not just in your business, but take you further in life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":202,"title":"City of Atlanta Awarded $500,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Loan Fund","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Awarded $500,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Loan Fund","published_date":"2018-06-07","featured_image":{"id":664,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"soutside_beltline_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1064421,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-25T10:44:35.052-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-25T10:44:35.108-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-26T09:41:05.063-04:00","filename_hash":"soutside_beltline_insight_qNn5P9o.png","width":954,"height":533},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-awarded-500000-for-brownfield-cleanup-loan-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hb3Q3w","created_at":"2018-06-25T10:48:12.806-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:46:03.815-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-157-million-supplemental-funds-cleanups-contaminated-brownfield-sites\"\u003eannounced\u003c/a\u003e $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEPA will provide a total of $15.7 million in funding to 33 other existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees, helping Atlanta and other communities around the country carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Brownfields Program started in 1996. Since then, the\u0026nbsp;City has managed several programs and initiatives aimed at identifying, assessing and remediating brownfield sites throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta oversees the Brownfield RLF program, and the board has recently approved loans for cleanup in the Southwest Atlanta BeltLine Trail corridor, as well as on properties located along Moores Mill Road NW and Cascade Avenue SW.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA brownfield is a real property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples include former industrial sites, gas stations, dry cleaning establishments, and other industrial uses. Atlantic Station and the Atlanta BeltLine are two examples of successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":191,"title":"Partners In The Spotlight: Mtamanika Youngblood \u0026 Hamilton Howell House","promo_title":"Partners In The Spotlight: Mtamanika Youngblood \u0026 Hamilton Howell House","published_date":"2018-05-16","featured_image":{"id":633,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hamilton_howell_house_v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1983294,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-15T09:53:52.054-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-15T09:53:52.299-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:03:16.922-04:00","filename_hash":"hamilton_howell_house_v2_38zkg9e.jpg","width":3944,"height":3016},"filename":"partners-in-the-spotlight-mtamanika-youngblood-hamilton-howell-house","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lpLxUA","created_at":"2018-05-10T16:05:25.986-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T09:54:01.783-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n An Invest Atlanta Community Empowerment Fund Grant helped Mtamanika Youngblood preserve a historic Sweet Auburn property.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn 1984, Mtamanika Youngblood and her husband George Howell were looking to move from the suburbs to the city and happened upon a house on Howell Street \u0026ndash; not far from Martin Luther King Jr.\u0026rsquo;s birthplace and childhood home. Despite its disrepair and downtrodden neighborhood, they decided to make it their own.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMtamanika and George soon learned that 102 Howell Street was built in 1890 by Alexander Hamilton Jr., Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s leading African American contractor, as his family home. Hamilton, in fact, was one of the business leaders who laid the groundwork for Sweet Auburn\u0026rsquo;s evolution into the center of African American cultural and commercial excellence. Mtamanika managed the substantial renovation of the home and ensured its recognition as a historic property in keeping with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Division and utilizing the Secretary of the Interior standards for revitalization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We didn\u0026rsquo;t touch the outside of the house for seven years because it would\u0026rsquo;ve stuck out like a sore thumb,\u0026rdquo; Mtamanika says. \u0026ldquo;But when we opened the front door, people were amazed by the inside.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMtamanika and George had aspirations to revitalize the entire neighborhood - and did so one home at a time. They both joined the Board of the Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) - which facilitates the preservation, revitalization, and non-displacement of residents in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic District - and learned that persistence pays.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEven after George\u0026rsquo;s passing, Mtamanika has continued their work. To date, she and the HDDC have renovated or built 120 architecturally compatible homes, as well as commercial, retail, and multi-family buildings. Mtamanika is once again renovating 102 Howell Street - this time to convert it into a bed and breakfast. When finished, it will be the only privately owned renovated historic house in the MLK District and its only bed and breakfast. An Invest Atlanta Community Empowerment Fund Grant helped Mtamanika make the property handicap accessible, and she hopes it will serve as a community amenity for gatherings, meetings, and receptions. There\u0026rsquo;s something special about the neighborhood that shaped Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want people to understand the importance of that legacy and tell the amazing stories of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s prominent African Americans, like Alexander Hamilton Jr., in the context of Sweet Auburn.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead more of our \u0026ldquo;Partners In The Spotlight\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;in our \u003ca href=\"/about-us/statements-records\"\u003e2017 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":190,"title":"FinTech Leader InComm Creating 100 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"FinTech Leader InComm Creating 100 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-05-16","featured_image":{"id":627,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"incomm_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":376223,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-03T13:42:53.830-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-03T13:42:53.944-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:02:18.493-04:00","filename_hash":"incomm_ia_bzwWElE.jpg","width":3576,"height":2632},"filename":"fintech-leader-incomm-creating-100-jobs-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7UD2pg","created_at":"2018-05-03T13:48:41.815-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T14:18:03.189-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n InComm, a leading prepaid product and payment technology company based in Atlanta, will create more than 100 jobs and invest over $20 million in capital developments in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInComm, a leading prepaid product and payment technology company based in Atlanta, will create more than 100 jobs and invest over $20 million in capital developments in Atlanta. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team worked with our city and state partners on this project.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that InComm has chosen to continue its growth in Atlanta, bringing more than 100 new, well-paying jobs and an additional capital investment to the downtown area,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;In the last year, several major companies have announced expansions in the city, including Accenture and the Boston Consulting Group. Their commitments are helping increase economic opportunity throughout Atlanta. I look forward to working alongside InComm\u0026rsquo;s executive leadership as they grow their business in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInComm provides connectivity to a variety of service providers that allow consumers to conduct everyday business at more than 500,000 points of retail distribution. The company enables consumers to activate prepaid products, pay bills online, purchase digital goods in stores or add funds to an online account.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis expansion follows the close of InComm\u0026rsquo;s deal to acquire distribution rights of American Express\u0026rsquo;s\u0026reg; prepaid reloadable and gift card products in the U.S., as well as the purchase of the Serve\u0026reg; technology platform. InComm has become the program manager and processor, and American Express will remain the issuer and network for all products involved in the transaction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The addition of the American Express suite of products strengthens the already extensive portfolio of prepaid cards and technologies that we provide to retailers and consumers,\u0026rdquo; said Brooks Smith, CEO of InComm. \u0026ldquo;In addition to bringing new distribution partners into our network, we look forward to welcoming 400 employees to our workforce nationally, more than 150 of whom will work in several of our Georgia offices. Some are transitioning from American Express and others are being hired by InComm as a result of the new business. Their knowledge will be invaluable as we integrate these products into our portfolio over the coming months.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta has become known as Transaction Alley because of the number of FinTech companies located in the region. In fact, 70% of all U.S. financial transactions pass through the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":188,"title":"Music Tech Giant Pandora Creating 250 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"Music Tech Giant Pandora Creating 250 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-04-29","featured_image":{"id":625,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlantic_station.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":730855,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:04.057-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:04.095-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-01T08:27:39.410-04:00","filename_hash":"atlantic_station_1OXYvzK.png","width":719,"height":499},"filename":"music-tech-giant-pandora-creating-250-jobs-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bOeYPA","created_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:51.509-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-01T08:27:39.379-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Pandora, the largest music streaming service in the U.S., will expand its presence and create 250 jobs in Atlanta over the next three years.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePandora, the largest music streaming service in the U.S., will expand its presence and create 250 jobs in Atlanta over the next three years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Pandora\u0026rsquo;s investment in Atlanta is a testament to the value of our highly skilled workforce and business-friendly environment for attracting innovative companies,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. \u0026ldquo;With this expansion, Pandora will benefit from the strategic resources available to digital leaders operating in Georgia, as well as close proximity to our vibrant arts and entertainment communities. We appreciate Pandora\u0026rsquo;s ongoing commitment here in Georgia and look forward to strengthening our partnership as the company continues to grow and create meaningful employment opportunities for our citizens.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePandora plans to hire for positions in product and engineering, sales, client services, legal and human resources.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has been home to a wide array of top artists who have both defined and defied genres,\u0026rdquo; said Pandora CEO Roger Lynch. \u0026ldquo;This rich music history, combined with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s diverse talent, dynamic startup culture, and extensive higher education community, make it the right place to grow our team. We look forward to expanding our presence in Atlanta and becoming a bigger part of the local community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Like Pandora, Atlanta sits at the nexus of music and technology,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We are a premier destination for some of the world\u0026rsquo;s most talented musical artists and producers, as well as tech talent. I trust this combination will be beneficial to Pandora as it stays at the forefront of music technology and am pleased to welcome many new Pandora employees to Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Laura Pemberton represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Development Authority of Fulton County and Georgia Power.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta places Pandora at the ideal intersection of culture, technology and a diverse workforce,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;Georgia has been long known for its robust entertainment and technology sectors, and we look forward to welcoming a company that is invested in both the entertainment and technology world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":183,"title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","published_date":"2018-04-08","featured_image":{"id":644,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"s2s-site.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5376159,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.196-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.418-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.115-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s-site_xDrv8K9.png","width":3424,"height":1529},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-ia-worksource-atlanta-launch-students2startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vADc_Q","created_at":"2018-04-08T16:18:25.020-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.099-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups Program\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInitiative will build a pipeline of diverse talent to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startups\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta officially announced the launch of Students2Startups \u0026ndash; an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta. Developed to help the city continue to build its tech talent pipeline, Students2Startups will subsidize high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies. In addition, this innovative initiative will support Atlanta startups by meeting some of their tech talent needs \u0026ndash; helping to retain more of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top talent in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups will connect more of our college and university students to a network of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s seasoned entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;All too often, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of innovators and job creators lack access to the financial resources and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in a 21st-century economy. Through mentorship programs like Students2Startups, the City aims to open doors of opportunity for our students and startups while reinforcing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a leading city for high-tech sector jobs and commerce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to scale up in a swift and nimble manner. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta will subsidize internships for 14 students interested in technology-focused summer internships. Invest Atlanta will partner with Startup Atlanta to identify program participants and support ongoing program management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Audrey Lawrence, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD and Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program. Participating Atlanta-based startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various tech-related careers. Students2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a Startup Atlanta lunch-and-learn series to help students deepen their inroads into Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":184,"title":"Executive Corner: Honeywell Home and Building Technologies","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Honeywell Home and Building Technologies","published_date":"2018-03-27","featured_image":{"id":610,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"executivecorner-honeywell.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":746426,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-12T09:47:29.618-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-12T09:47:29.725-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:25:16.355-04:00","filename_hash":"executivecorner-honeywell_r69WnpR.png","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"executive-corner-honeywell-home-and-building-technologies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lxovVQ","created_at":"2018-04-12T09:49:51.454-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:25:16.338-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/261527422","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Gary Michel, President and CEO of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, recently participated in our Executive Corner video series.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGary Michel, President and CEO of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, recently participated in our Executive Corner video series. Michel explains how Atlanta\u0026#39;s \u0026quot;great level of talent,\u0026quot; thriving tech community, and concentration of Fortune 500 companies attracted the company to Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company announced in 2016\u0026nbsp;they would establish their first software development center and\u0026nbsp;home and building technologies headquarters operation in Atlanta. This project is bringing 800 new full-time positions and $19 million in investment to the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell\u0026rsquo;s new Georgia operation will serve as a development center for software and technologies ranging across the company\u0026rsquo;s three divisions: Honeywell Aerospace, Performance Materials,\u0026nbsp;and Technologies; Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":181,"title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","promo_title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","published_date":"2018-03-19","featured_image":{"id":585,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sxsw_panel_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":143422,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.365-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.449-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.978-04:00","filename_hash":"sxsw_panel_ia_Qggw7N2.jpg","width":1085,"height":814},"filename":"south-by-southwest-sxsw-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lrQ9WA","created_at":"2018-03-19T12:56:09.364-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.966-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Last week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. While at the tech, film, and music festival, the team also attended sessions about the latest trends in tech, including Virtual Reality (VR), blockchain (over 35 sessions!), and Internet of Things (IoT). The team was pleased to find the conference schedule was full of opportunities to engage on dialogue around diversity and inclusion, smart cities, music and entertainment tech, and building investment pipelines, all topics that the Invest Atlanta team is currently engaged in.\u0026nbsp; The knowledge the IA team gained at SXSW will no doubt inform future programs and initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNoelle London and Sheoyki Jones both participated in informative panel discussions on the Comcast stage. London talked about the state of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem with Holly Beilin of \u003ca href=\"https://hypepotamus.com/\"\u003eHypeotamus\u003c/a\u003e, Burunda Prince-Jones of Comcast\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://thefarmatl.com/\"\u003eThe Farm\u003c/a\u003e innovation accelerator, and Charlton Cunningham of \u003ca href=\"http://www.startupatlanta.com/\"\u003eStartup Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e. Jones covered Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s booming media and entertainment sector with ChooseATL\u0026rsquo;s Kate Atwood and Blossom Media\u0026rsquo;s Diamonde Williamson.\u0026nbsp; The recently-launched \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-loan-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;was a key topic in a discussion about how the City of Atlanta is supporting our independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral Atlanta-based startups took part in SXSW\u0026nbsp;pitch competitions.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://polyport.io/landing/\"\u003ePolyPort\u003c/a\u003e, a 3D design asset protection company, took home first prize in the \u0026ldquo;Security and Privacy Technologies\u0026rdquo; category. Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.gyomo.com/\"\u003eGyomo\u003c/a\u003e, whose software provides email security protection and \u003ca href=\"http://www.trycrescendo.com/\"\u003eCrescendo\u003c/a\u003e, who offers performance assessment software powered by AI, were recognized as standouts in their respective categories. \u003ca href=\"https://qoins.io/\"\u003eQoins\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;a former Invest Atlanta International Startup Exchange participant, placed 2nd in Tech.co\u0026rsquo;s Startup of the Year competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ChooseATL house, hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, was once again a big hit, thanks to informative panel discussions and a guest appearance by T.I. Along with the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.thea.network/\"\u003eTHEA\u003c/a\u003e, the first city-based video streaming platform, the ChooseATL team told the Atlanta story in an effort to show off our city to businesses and the next-generation of talent. Atlanta showed up strong to SXSW 2018, and Invest Atlanta was proud to be a part of it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":179,"title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","promo_title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","published_date":"2018-03-12","featured_image":{"id":574,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_v5.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":891660,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.837-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.875-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.559-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_v5_E665yDo.png","width":789,"height":625},"filename":"pittsburgh-yards-marks-groundbreaking-with-community-celebration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nQ8Shw","created_at":"2018-03-12T15:57:11.828-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.546-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Residents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResidents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in attendance were members of the Atlanta City Council, Invest Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;the Columbia Core Partners development team, and leaders from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropy that owns the parcel and has invested toward ensuring the development benefits the community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards will be a key community-focused, economically-inclusive asset for the Southside and for the city as a whole. When complete, it will offer accessible rental rates for local small businesses to thrive. This in turn will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities even as it bolsters the sense of community in this part of the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic landscape is changing with more major development initiatives breaking ground south of Interstate 20,\u0026rdquo; said Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Pittsburgh Yards will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that will help bring new, sustainable growth and nearly $40 million in economic impact to the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $26 million first phase of development will happen on the eastern side of the property around an existing 61,000 square foot structure that will create work spaces at accessible rental rates for approximately 100 businesses, including light-industrial, administrative, artisanal, maker and creative enterprises. A large, natural-turf green space will be created, along with a business-centric area that features repurposed shipping containers that will be used as work spaces and storefronts. The first phase will also include necessary road, sewer, storm-water management, landscaping and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure \u0026mdash; including a spur to the Atlanta BeltLine \u0026mdash; as well as three adaptable pad-ready sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first phase of the development create approximately 200 new permanent jobs. And over the next decade, that number will climb to 1,000 new positions. And importantly, Annie E. Casey will work with the Center for Working Families and other organizations to ensure local residents have access to employment and training opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards is a critical project for south Atlanta, which over the next few years will see unprecedented levels of investment, from the former site of Turner Field to the Atlanta BeltLine to Ft. McPherson to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported this project with a New Markets Tax Credits allocation through our community development subsidiary, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Since 2010, AEMI has invested in 16 projects, including Grady Hospital\u0026rsquo;s Emergency Center and Women and Infants Center, as well as Families First\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd recently, Mayor Bottoms announced the news that AEMI will receive another $60 million allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department. We stand at the ready to support many more game-changing projects like Pittsburgh Yards in the years to come.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":180,"title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","promo_title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","published_date":"2018-03-07","featured_image":{"id":575,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wiredscore_ia.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":965464,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.903-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.946-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.770-04:00","filename_hash":"wiredscore_ia_W11ZeM4.png","width":974,"height":732},"filename":"ias-kevin-johnson-helps-launch-wiredscore-certification-for-atlanta-commercial-real-estate","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GmnvJA","created_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n ​At an event at Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt the Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive. A recent market research report, Atlanta 2018 Tenant Tech Trends, found that 96% of Atlanta tenants surveyed said access to reliable internet was critical to their success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We support WiredScore\u0026#39;s mission to improve transparency around digital infrastructure in commercial properties. By doing so, we can promote Atlanta\u0026#39;s global competitiveness as a destination for businesses across all sectors and support the existing community of innovative organizations that call Atlanta home. With Wired Certification, companies in Atlanta will be able to identify properties that provide access to the reliable and resilient connectivity their businesses depend on and be confident that the property is future-proofed to support continued growth,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe commercial owners and developers leading the adoption of Wired Certification in Atlanta are: The Allen Morris Co, The Ardent Companies, The Brookdale Group, Columbia Property Trust, Hines, Jamestown, Lionstone Investments, North American Properties, Richard Bowers and Co, Seven Oaks Management, Third Rail Studios and Zeller Realty Group with more committing to Wired Certification in the coming weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTenants including Amazon, Deloitte, Google, and Salesforce have signed leases in Wired Certified buildings across the country. Prominent local projects such as T3 West Midtown, Atlantic Yards and Northwinds VII are using Wired Certification to ensure the projects are future-proofed and well-connected as they target prominent corporate occupiers for pre-leasing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The growing adoption of Wired Certification will showcase Atlanta as a smart place to grow businesses and invest. Connectivity is a fundamental resource for businesses to operate successfully and demonstrating that Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Commercial Real Estate assets have advanced connectivity infrastructure, by providing transparent, globally-recognized ratings will help to attract and retain businesses to Atlanta. We are thrilled to be working with the industry leaders and Invest Atlanta to promote better connectivity infrastructure across the market,\u0026rdquo; said WiredScore\u0026rsquo;s Head of Atlanta, JD Jeske.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":176,"title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","published_date":"2018-03-02","featured_image":{"id":558,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1872206,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.661-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.717-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:51.001-05:00","filename_hash":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3_QggM4Vw.png","width":1193,"height":797},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-and-anthem-break-ground-on-new-technology-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UezCow","created_at":"2018-03-02T10:23:41.975-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:50.987-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp; When opened in 2020, the 352,000 square-foot state-of-the-art structure will house approximately 3,000 multi-disciplinary IT professionals dedicated to simplifying the health care experience for consumers and care providers, improving quality of care, and lowering health care costs.\u0026nbsp; Anthem, Inc. is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading health benefits companies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Midtown Atlanta is one of the most dynamic technology and innovation centers in the United States and we are excited to add Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new expansion to our growing healthcare IT ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Anthem\u0026rsquo;s decision to build its new Technology Center here underscores its workers\u0026rsquo; desire for the mobility options and the diverse, accessible lifestyle offered in one of America\u0026rsquo;s best urban neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta played a key role in ensuring this project moved forward. In October 2017, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved an $850,000 Economic Opportunity Fund grant to Anthem. The Board also approved the issuance of lease-purchase bonds to support the construction of the new building at the corner of 4th and West Peachtree streets in Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnthem chose to locate in Tech Square because it has become known globally as an innovation hotbed and includes research facilities, incubators, technology start-ups, the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, and the neighboring mixed-use Coda building currently under construction. In addition, the state of Georgia is hotbed for Health IT companies, with more than 200 companies employing approximately 30,000 people.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is rich with technology talent, and we are excited to take this next step in creating a hub for our IT organization here with a contemporary and inspiring space for current and future Anthem IT professionals,\u0026rdquo; said Tom Miller, Anthem senior vice president of innovation and chief information officer. \u0026ldquo;Located in the technology epicenter of Atlanta, the collaborative environment will enable Anthem\u0026rsquo;s IT team to more quickly turn health care ideas into real-time solutions and develop innovative tools and resources that will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to manage their health and wellbeing.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe architectural firm, John Portman \u0026amp; Associates, designed the building and provided Anthem the opportunity to create spaces that support its progressive and collaborative work style. More than 14,000 square-feet of terrace area will allow for an inviting green space, bringing the outside in, to support health and wellness. As part of the LEED- and Fitwel-certified design, Anthem placed an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and design that encourages an active work environment through indoor and outdoor spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Portman is delighted to partner with Anthem to create another significant development in Midtown Atlanta. The Anthem Technology Center will complement Coda and further cement Midtown as the focal destination for businesses that are focused on collaboration, recruitment, and positioning,\u0026rdquo; said Ambrish Baisiwala, chief executive officer of Portman Holdings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":172,"title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","promo_title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","published_date":"2018-02-12","featured_image":{"id":539,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"volantio_hype_new.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":185968,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.554-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.593-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.408-05:00","filename_hash":"volantio_hype_new_eXX2b2e.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-tech-start-up-volantio-secures-26-million-in-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kJVHwQ","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:34.588-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.393-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Volantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVolantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round led by Ingleside Investors and strategic investors International Airlines Group (IAG), JetBlue Technology Ventures, and Qantas Ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are extremely proud that the investment arms of three key global aviation leaders, spanning three distinct geographies, have chosen to back Volantio and its market leading technology\u0026rdquo; said Azim Barodawala, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s CEO.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe offices of Volantio can be found at Flatiron City in Downtown Atlanta, thanks in part to assistance from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business attraction team. The company was also a participant in the \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e, which allowed them to travel to Toulouse, France and connect with prospective customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYanaTM, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s flagship web-based platform, leverages machine learning algorithms to drive higher unit revenues and improved capacity utilization after customers have booked their flights, while also improving overall customer experience. Airlines use the technology to proactively identify flexible passengers on high demand flights, make them offers to move to lower demand flights, and automatically rebook them once they accept. Passengers are notified, via mobile, days in advance of departure, minimizing last-minute hassle and providing enough time to change plans accordingly. Offers can include upgrades, travel vouchers, and frequent flier points.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Our platform provides a rare triple-win,\u0026rdquo; said Barodawala. \u0026ldquo;Flexible passengers receive a benefit for changing their travel plans, last-minute travelers are able to access flights that otherwise would have been full, and airlines can better maximize network capacity and unit revenue, while putting greater predictability and control back in the hands of their customers.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":171,"title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","promo_title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":538,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":129042,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.911-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.942-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.863-05:00","filename_hash":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site_gvvlNLP.jpg","width":900,"height":601},"filename":"atlanta-sleep-tech-innovator-to-expand-thanks-to-ia-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pyweNg","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:31:07.043-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.829-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Responsive Surface Technology announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResponsive Surface Technology, an Atlanta-based sleep technology innovator, announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing. The additional capital provided will enable ReST to grow its inventory and expand marketing and research efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaged through Advantage Capital Partners, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund is a revolving loan program for businesses in the City of Atlanta located in census designated distressed neighborhoods. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program is administered through Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. and aims to attract private investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved neighborhoods and financially support catalytic projects that provide services or create quality jobs accessible to low-income residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is proud to play a key role in helping innovative businesses like Responsive Surface Technology expand and grow in the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dale Royal, President, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;Tech companies like ReST employ over 270,000 people in metro Atlanta alone. Through a variety of programs like the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Market Tax Credits, Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. offer businesses additional ways to access to capital so they can prosper in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s vibrant economy and help bring new investment to neighborhoods throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the company expands, ReST aims to become the leading sleep technology innovator in the world. ReST is committed to expanding its Atlanta footprint by continuing to grow its operations in West Midtown and creating new jobs. The company plans to invest in local talent, including skilled workers from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to have received additional funding through Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Lloyd Sommers, General Manager of ReST. \u0026ldquo;The funds will support our efforts to expand distribution so that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience why the ReST Bed\u0026trade; has in less than two years become the leading mattress for endurance athletes and those with back pain.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":163,"title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","promo_title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":509,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wework_2_main.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2310929,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.817-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.876-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.161-05:00","filename_hash":"wework_2_main_1OQ45q2.png","width":1346,"height":710},"filename":"co-working-leader-wework-opens-3rd-atlanta-location","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3pEyww","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:44:01.790-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.149-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n WeWork celebrated the official grand opening of its third location in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeWork, along with Governor Nathan Deal and leadership from Invest Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, celebrated the official grand opening of WeWork\u0026rsquo;s third location in Atlanta, 1372 Peachtree, and the company\u0026rsquo;s continued growth in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is the 5th-largest co-working\u0026nbsp;market in the U.S., with 230,000 square feet of new co-working space added last year, more than twice the space of any other market in the Southeast.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s the kind of momentum that gets me excited,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta, at the grand opening. \u0026ldquo;This WeWork expansion further\u0026nbsp;strengthens Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a place where entrepreneurs and small businesses have the support and resources to build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past\u0026nbsp;8 years, Invest Atlanta has helped more than 69 businesses\u0026nbsp;expand within the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled to continue expanding across Georgia with our third Atlanta location, WeWork 1372 Peachtree,\u0026rdquo; said Bobby Condon, WeWork General Manager for the Southeast. \u0026ldquo;It is only fitting to build upon this growth in a creative and diverse community like Atlanta but also in the No. 1 state in which to do business. 1372 Peachtree, which will now serve as the WeWork headquarters for the entire southeast region, offers Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top creators \u0026ndash; people of all ages and companies of all sizes \u0026ndash; the space, culture and flexibility that will help recruit and retain the talent they need for their business to flourish.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther speakers at the event included Governor Deal, Hala Moddelmog of the Metro Atlanta Chamber,\u0026nbsp; and Larry Williams of the Technology Association of Georgia. They all welcomed WeWork and congratulated the company on their growth and expansion in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the capital of the Southeast, the Hollywood and Silicon Valley of the South, and as the greatest place to live, work, and call home, Atlanta has a thriving startup, tech, music, and creative-industries landscape,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. \u0026ldquo;WeWork helps provide these creators with a global network of more than 175,000 members in addition to workspaces, professional services, and resources necessary for success. Whether they be a one-person, two-person, 25-person business or whatever size they may be in their initial stages, this is a great place to be in order to give them that start.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto courtesy of Joi Pearson Photography.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":164,"title":"Group PSA, Europe’s 2nd Largest Carmaker, Establishes HQ in Atlanta","promo_title":"Group PSA, Europe’s 2nd Largest Carmaker, Establishes HQ in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-01-25","featured_image":{"id":510,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"psa_groupe_mailchimp.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":80847,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:23.904-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:23.935-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-03T14:14:54.800-04:00","filename_hash":"psa_groupe_mailchimp_XJj2vDY.jpg","width":1506,"height":672},"filename":"group-psa-europes-2nd-largest-carmaker-establishes-hq-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gvS5NA","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:47:05.664-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:29.903-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Nathan Deal, and Invest Atlanta announced that Groupe PSA will locate its new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Nathan Deal, and Invest Atlanta announced that Groupe PSA, a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, will locate its new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased that PSA Groupe has selected Atlanta for its North American headquarters and look forward to working with the company\u0026rsquo;s executive leadership to grow their operations here,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s automotive sector continues to expand, and the city is now home to three leading European automotive company headquarters, including PSA Groupe, Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche Cars North America. Automotive companies are attracted to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s highly skilled workforce, a strong research and technology community, and easy access to Europe and points across the world through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith its five world-renowned brands, Peugeot, Citro\u0026euml;n, DS, Opel and Vauxhall Motors, as well as its mobility application brand called Free2Move, Groupe PSA is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, and the second largest in Europe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Attracting foreign direct investment is critical to making Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy globally competitive, and it is great news to have Groupe PSA, Europe\u0026rsquo;s second-largest carmaker, invest in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to working closely with Groupe PSA as they take this step of re-entering the North American market. They are the twentieth company to announce a headquarters relocation or major expansion in Atlanta since 2010, which has created a total of nearly 11,000 new jobs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled that Groupe PSA, the second-largest carmaker in Europe and one of the top mobility providers in the world, has picked Atlanta for its new North American home,\u0026rdquo; said Governor Deal. \u0026ldquo;Groupe PSA joins a growing family of innovative automotive manufacturers and suppliers operating here in Georgia. This announcement is a great win for our state and yet another testament to the strength of our business environment and infrastructure.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGroupe PSA employs more than 200,000 individuals worldwide, with an annual revenue of $60 billion and 3.6 million vehicles sold annually. Georgia is home to more than 320 automotive facilities that employ more than 27,800 Georgians. Groupe PSA will be the third North American headquarters in Atlanta of a major global Original Equipment Manufacturer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":165,"title":"GSMA Opens North American Regional Office at Armour Yards","promo_title":"GSMA Opens North American Regional Office at Armour Yards","published_date":"2018-01-12","featured_image":{"id":511,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"gsma_eloisa_feature-1024x768.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":123276,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:08.833-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:08.863-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-03T14:15:12.597-04:00","filename_hash":"gsma_eloisa_feature-1024x768_E6VQ1pK.jpg","width":1024,"height":768},"filename":"gsma-opens-north-american-regional-office-at-armour-yards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sRPr8Q","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:50:45.947-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:14.576-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;GSMA held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its new North American regional office in Armour Yards near Midtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;At a ceremony attended by Dr. Eloisa Klementich and other dignitaries and leaders from the Atlanta technology community, the GSMA officially opened its new 15,000 square-foot offices, which will house nearly 90 GSMA employees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are so excited to welcome GSMA to the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Klementich.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;To have the organization at the forefront of the global mobile industry here at Armour Yards gets 2018 off to a terrific start. This move will strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a tech hub in the global mobility space, and further promote Atlanta as a city with a thriving tech industry sector to retain and attract top talent and business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has been ranked as the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S., and we\u0026rsquo;re home to leaders in all facets of mobile technology. Our region is home to leading mobile tech marketers\u0026mdash;like Coca-Cola and Delta\u0026mdash;leading mobile content producers like Turner and Cox\u0026mdash;and mobility telecom companies\u0026mdash;like AT\u0026amp;T Wireless and Earthlink. In fact, 100 communication service companies are located in our state, putting Georgia at #5 in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is\u0026nbsp;a leader, not just in mobility, but also in the Internet of Things\u0026mdash;or IoT\u0026mdash;Health IT, FinTech, and cybersecurity. Georgia\u0026rsquo;s more than 14,000 tech companies employ around 200,000 workers, with an estimated annual economic impact of $113 billion. In the last two years, company relocations and expansions in Atlanta account for more than 6,000 new technology jobs and over $600 million of capital investment in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith global headquarters in London, the GSMA represents nearly 800 mobile operators worldwide, as well as more than 300 other companies including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers, internet companies and organizations in adjacent industry sectors. Operator members in the North America region include companies such as AT\u0026amp;T, Bell Mobility, Digicel, Rogers Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus and Verizon, among many others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The opening of our new North American office marks the start of the next chapter for the GSMA in the region,\u0026rdquo; said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. \u0026ldquo;Our new location in Midtown Atlanta puts us at the very center of the vibrant, dynamic tech scene in the city, enabling us to draw on a rich talent pool and engage even more closely with the broad technology ecosystem that has developed here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":168,"title":"NCR Officially Opens New Global Headquarters in Midtown","promo_title":"NCR Officially Opens New Global Headquarters in Midtown","published_date":"2018-01-08","featured_image":{"id":514,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ncr_hq_main-1024x539.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":142649,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:12.350-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:12.379-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:20.340-05:00","filename_hash":"ncr_hq_main-1024x539_DN1jRqQ.jpg","width":1024,"height":539},"filename":"ncr-officially-opens-new-global-headquarters-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dDbASA","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:01:59.308-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:20.332-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n NCR Corporation opened its new global headquarters campus in Midtown Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNCR Corporation opened its new global headquarters campus in Midtown Atlanta. The two-tower campus will provide the space needed to prepare for future growth and create innovations that will help power the digitally-connected economy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, NCR\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters will be home to approximately 5,000 skilled professionals. The state-of-the-art campus will be roughly 750,000 square feet of space, comprised of two office towers situated at the corner of 8th and Spring Streets in the heart of burgeoning Midtown Atlanta. Employees will begin moving into the first tower today, with the second tower opening later this year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that NCR has chosen the City of Atlanta for its new headquarters, and this major capital investment that will bring over 5,000 skilled jobs to Midtown,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a global technology center that offers companies access to top talent, renowned research institutions and advanced technology infrastructure. I look forward to working with Mr. Nuti and everyone at NCR as we continue to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role as a premier global tech and innovation hub. The opening of NCR\u0026rsquo;s new corporate campus represents another major step towards that goal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction of the first tower began in November 2015. In September 2016, NCR announced it would expand the campus and build a second tower. NCR partnered with Invest Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Economic Development on development of the campus to create $450 million of public and private investment in Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This Campus symbolizes the power of reinvention. It celebrates the innovators, dreamers, and problem-solvers who walk through our doors every day and have the courage to build a better tomorrow,\u0026rdquo; said NCR Chairman and CEO Bill Nuti. \u0026ldquo;Our move to Midtown is part of our vision for transforming Atlanta into the Silicon Valley of the East.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe global headquarters will enable optimal collaboration and teamwork; feature the technology and tools to support the changing nature of how, when and where work is done; and excite and inspire employees and customers. The campus will feature such amenities as dining options and outdoor seating, coffee bar, gym, informal spaces that spark creativity, and a large lecture space. It will become the permanent home for the NCR Innovation Lab and continue the already robust partnership between NCR and Georgia Tech, as the organizations are now located side-by-side in the center of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Technology Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":169,"title":"BRE Team Supports CapTech’s Expansion at Bank of America Plaza","promo_title":"BRE Team Supports CapTech’s Expansion at Bank of America Plaza","published_date":"2018-01-03","featured_image":{"id":515,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"captech_main-1024x610.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92957,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:51.813-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:51.841-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-07T16:09:32.942-04:00","filename_hash":"captech_main-1024x610_ymQpOeO.jpg","width":1024,"height":610},"filename":"bre-team-supports-captechs-expansion-at-bank-of-america-plaza","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ws9Nrw","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:04:35.766-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-07T16:09:32.908-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The company recently moved to Bank of America Plaza, and plans to add 50 new positions this year.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team met with executives from CapTech, a management and IT consulting firm growing its presence in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe company recently moved to Bank of America Plaza, and plans to add 50 new positions this year. CapTech is a national firm based in Richmond, Virginia, but opened an Atlanta office\u0026nbsp;to gain access to the city\u0026rsquo;s high concentration of Fortune 500 companies and talented workforce.\u0026nbsp; CapTech chose Bank of America Plaza specifically for it\u0026rsquo;s location near Georgia Tech and a MARTA rail station.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The tech market in Atlanta is just booming and CapTech\u0026rsquo;s business in Atlanta is growing faster and more robustly than expected,\u0026rdquo; a CapTech spokeswoman\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/11/10/atlanta-pitching-the-gulch-as-no-1-site-for-amazon.html\"\u003esaid recently\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCapTech has been already become active in the surrounding communities. Since opening their Atlanta office, the company has participated in Coca-Cola\u0026rsquo;s Year Up program, worked with Usher\u0026rsquo;s New Look, and supported the Covenant House.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe BRE team recently met with company representatives to discuss incentives, including the Opportunity Zone Tax Credit, which offers a maximum annual tax credit of $3,500 per new job for five years. They also discussed how to meet their workforce development needs and made\u0026nbsp;introduced the company to other regional organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":170,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","published_date":"2017-12-23","featured_image":{"id":516,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"creative_industries_top-1024x625.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":99118,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.958-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.380-05:00","filename_hash":"creative_industries_top-1024x625_OPlbvyM.jpg","width":1024,"height":625},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-creative-industries-loan-fund-to-support-and-retain-local-talent","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EA7pfw","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:09:10.301-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.372-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New Creative Industries Loan Fund will assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta recently announced the new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e, a joint project between the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta to assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs. The program offers loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms for local creative entrepreneurs to use for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects. (Learn more about the Fund\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our city is rich in talent and ideas, but funding decisions are often made elsewhere,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;With the new Creative Industries Loan Fund, we will help our homegrown innovators as they build and keep their businesses in the City of Atlanta. We will continue to build our creative economy and enhance Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as the center of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s booming film, TV and entertainment business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia have established world-class infrastructure for the film, television and entertainment industries. As a result, the State of Georgia was the number-one location in the world for film and TV production last year. Film and television production in Georgia generated more than $6 billion in economic impact in 2015. In the time since Mayor Reed took office in 2010, the industry has grown from $250 million per year to $9.5 billion, representing a growth of 2,000 percent. The City of Atlanta issued more than 1,000 permits for film production in Fiscal Year 17, generating $763,000 in revenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To ensure our city\u0026rsquo;s creative industries thrive for years and decades to come, we need to support our homegrown artists who are creating the next box office smash, hit music track, or top-rated video game,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Loan Fund gives us a new tool to create jobs, retain our top creative talent, and strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global entertainment capital.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Creative Industries Loan Fund are open to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating within the City of Atlanta who plan to create within the City of Atlanta, independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs registered as a business within the City of Atlanta, and independent record and management companies operating within the City of Atlanta, as well as their talent located within the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We have a phenomenal opportunity here. The creative impact on our city, both culturally and economically has been unprecedented,\u0026rdquo; Christopher Hicks, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to building on top of those successes with this endeavor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Fund will be made through Invest Atlanta; a new Creative Industries Advisory Board will review the applications and make funding decisions. Awards will be made through Invest Atlanta, which will report on all approved awardees to the Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":19,"title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","promo_title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","published_date":"2017-12-19","featured_image":{"id":226,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_top.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":960803,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:07.880-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:08.396-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.454-05:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_top_DNxem41.jpg","width":5155,"height":3147},"filename":"the-ivillage-mlk-shipping-container-village-officially-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kaIk_A","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:47:06.001-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.422-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made of repurposed shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA officially announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made out of repurposed shipping containers, at H.E. Holmes MARTA Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This shipping-container iVillage is not only the first of its kind in the State of Georgia, it\u0026rsquo;s another example of how the City of Atlanta supports innovation and entrepreneurship,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This concept is being featured in leading cities such as London, Copenhagen and San Francisco. With the new iVillage at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station, we are leveraging a smart, sustainable idea to expand our commitment to creating new hubs of innovation all over the City. I am pleased that this new iVillage will be one component of improvements and investments to improve mobility and access to economic opportunity along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce construction on the project is complete, the iVillage @ MLK will provide affordable, transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses. A total of 14 shipping containers will be used to create around 6,500 square feet of commercial space. The development will also include sizable lawn and deck areas to host public events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m looking forward to the day when local entrepreneurs are here every day, bringing their new ideas and energy to this area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;One day, we hope to see many of the businesses launched take root up and down the MLK Corridor and look forward to working with the community to make The iVillage @ MLK a place of pride and purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK will provide the opportunity for reimagining the possibilities of a public space, putting it to new and attractive use for local businesses and residents. MARTA will examine future opportunities for transit-oriented development at H.E. Holmes Station to ensure more people can live affordably near our job centers and transit nodes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThough this is the first project of its kind in Georgia, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities like Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort continue to transform Westside communities, especially along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The iVillage is more than just development of office and retail space, it\u0026rsquo;s part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment to key commercial corridors throughout the city like MLK Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, the City of Atlanta was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications will be made available soon for entrepreneurs interested in leasing space at The iVillage @ MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":22,"title":"IA Leads Southwest BeltLine Existing Business Resource Event","promo_title":"IA Leads Southwest BeltLine Existing Business Resource Event","published_date":"2017-12-11","featured_image":{"id":228,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"sw_beltline_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":675919,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:53:16.533-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:53:16.995-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:12:23.021-05:00","filename_hash":"sw_beltline_feature_DNxemvv.jpg","width":5119,"height":3840},"filename":"ia-leads-southwest-beltline-existing-business-resource-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w4vj7g","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:02:05.821-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:12:22.466-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta led the Southwest Atlanta BeltLIne Existing Resource Event to present the resources and programs available to small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently led the Southwest Atlanta BeltLIne Existing Resource Event to present the many resources and programs available to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event, the first in a series planned for other locations along the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://beltline.org/\"\u003eAtlanta BeltLine\u003c/a\u003e, took place on November 30.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.dcafeatl.com/\"\u003eD Caf\u0026eacute; \u0026amp; Catering\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Westview hosted and provided breakfast to presenters and participants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKiyomi Rollins, owner of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegoodhairshop.com/\"\u003eThe Good Hair Shop\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;and a recipient of a small business loan through Invest Atlanta, urged attendees to seek out the resources they need to sustain and grow their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Call them up, apply,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They are giving you the path to success, the path to sustainability. Everyone at Invest Atlanta has been very supportive with the tools we need to retain businesses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Ms. Rollins took over Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Twitter feed to update those who couldn\u0026rsquo;t attend about the resources available to existing small businesses along the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral members from the Invest Atlanta team also spoke at the event. Erika Smith covered IA\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion programs, while Lonnie Saboor detailed our available\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/business/small-business-loan-programs/\"\u003esmall business loan programs\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJerald Mitchell from Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., Jim Skinner from the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaregional.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Regional Commission (ARC)\u003c/a\u003e, and Terry Collier from the MLK, Jr. Dr. Merchants Association also presented, as did representatives from\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.villagemicrofund.com/\"\u003eThe Village Micro Fund\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eAccess to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ga/atlanta\"\u003eSBA\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.georgiasbdc.org/atlanta-office/\"\u003eSBDC\u003c/a\u003e, and\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.wellsfargo.com/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to all the presenters and attendees\u0026mdash;including members of the Atlanta City Council\u0026mdash;for coming out, and a special thanks to Ms. D for hosting and catering the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":155,"title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back During the Holidays","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back During the Holidays","published_date":"2017-12-11","featured_image":{"id":385,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"bagathon_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":584484,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:00.806-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:01.216-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:18:31.239-05:00","filename_hash":"bagathon_feature_oMaLWYy.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-during-the-holidays","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"a_2HAw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:52.012-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:52.012-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Team IA once again came together to help others during the holiday season.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTeam IA once again came together to help others during the holiday season.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the month of November, staff provided aid and support for the ongoing Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico. The group \u0026ldquo;Atlanta Levanta a Puerto Rico\u0026rdquo; organized the effort. Canned goods, diapers, and batteries were among the much-needed items gathered at the Invest Atlanta office before being distributed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in November, Invest Atlanta participated in Central Atlanta Progress hosted Sneaker Week to promote sustainability and health in Atlanta. Collection bins for used sneakers were placed in major office buildings throughout Downtown Atlanta. Team IA came through in a big way, with our office finishing third among City of Atlanta government buildings. These sneakers will be donated to those in need or recycled depending on wear and tear.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, more than a dozen staff members volunteered their time in December to assemble snack bags for the annual United Way Bag-A-Thon. The team put together 525 bags this year, which went to children attending the after-school programs at City of Refuge and the Nicholson House.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose who joined in included Shelease, Daphne, Devon, Michele, Rita, Stephen, Dale, Payson, Flor, June, Robert, Heide, Kiera, Elaine, Christie, Kent, Malaika, Anita, and Jennifer. Other IA staff members contributed or purchased snacks as part of the effort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe are IA!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":28,"title":"Invest Atlanta Small Business Stories: The Nest Nursery School","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Small Business Stories: The Nest Nursery School","published_date":"2017-12-04","featured_image":{"id":236,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nest_still_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":740497,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:31:38.624-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:31:38.777-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:44:39.164-05:00","filename_hash":"nest_still_feature_azne97y.png","width":703,"height":527},"filename":"invest-atlanta-small-business-stories-the-nest-nursery-school","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hCkOPA","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:37:02.463-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:37:02.463-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/242983668","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In November, Invest Atlanta launched our brand-new video series, \u0026ldquo;Small Business Stories,\u0026rdquo; featuring successful Atlanta small business owners.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn November, Invest Atlanta launched our brand-new video series, \u0026ldquo;Small Business Stories,\u0026rdquo; in which we feature successful Atlanta small business owners. First up is\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://thenestnurseryschool.org/\"\u003eThe Nest\u003c/a\u003e, a neighborhood nursery school that expanded in Grant Park thanks to a small business loan from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;[Invest Atlanta wants] to help you, they want to support small businesses and make our larger community better,\u0026rdquo; says co-founder Mandy Palmer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStay tuned for more Small Business Stories in 2018!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":5,"title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","promo_title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","published_date":"2017-11-02","featured_image":{"id":210,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_ignite_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":164235,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:17.951-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:18.186-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.147-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_ignite_feature_gvV2gx3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"mlk-ignite-capital-grants-awarded-to-14-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"O4q2FA","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:50:46.096-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 small businesses receiving MLK Ignite Capital Grants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt an event held at Atlanta City Hall, Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 winners of the MLK Ignite Capital\u0026nbsp;Grant\u0026nbsp;program, which awards $100,000 to small businesses located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Under Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s leadership, Invest Atlanta created the grant program as part of the city\u0026rsquo;s overall efforts to revitalize the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The 14 small businesses will receive $5,000-$10,000 each to meet their immediate, short-term needs, such as building fa\u0026ccedil;ade upgrades, property improvements and equipment purchases. Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Young, Jr. joined Mayor Reed and Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich for the ceremony today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The street honoring Dr. King\u0026rsquo;s legacy in Atlanta should and will be one of the most attractive, vibrant and important streets in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;By investing in small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor, we are supporting the women and men who have supported their communities for years. These businesses offer local residents more choices to shop, dine and work closer to home. I congratulate each one of our grant recipients, and look forward to the changes and improvements they make with the support of the MLK Ignite Capital Grant.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach small business was required to provide 30 percent of the cost of the capital investment they proposed to make for their business. The grant award covered the remaining 70 percent of the capital cost. The grant funds come from the $10 million federal TIGER VII grant awarded to the City of Atlanta in August 2016, and is the centerpiece of the $35 million renovation to improve safety and mobility and promote economic development along more than seven miles of this this historic street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The future strength and equity of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy depend largely on making effective investments in commercial corridors like MLK Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The work we\u0026rsquo;re doing to support businesses through this program goes hand in hand with our economic growth strategies to increase small business activity and provide access to retail amenities in target areas throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLatifah Allah, Unity Hair Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTerrance Barron, University Barbershop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKhadijah Baynes, The Beauty Industry;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoebe Dawson, Alfonzo Dawson Mortuary, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKenneth Dean, All-Pro Insurance Agency;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMarion Hargett, Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Buffalo Wings;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eImani Maisonelt, Imani\u0026rsquo;s Too Hair \u0026amp; More Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEdward Martin, Murden\u0026rsquo;s Barber Shop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJaseph Moultrie, Jr., Aesthetic Ink \u0026amp; Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDr. Charles Nichols, Alphia Health \u0026amp; Wellness Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCorey Reeves, Aldridge Services, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHope Stoney, Hope Health \u0026amp; Wellness Center;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAndrew Taylor, Pro Cuts ATL; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePauline Warrior, Warnun Industries, Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Capital Ignite Grants were funded through the Economic Opportunity Fund for Business Retention and Expansion, approved by the Atlanta City Council in November 2016. Under the leadership of Mayor Reed, the Invest Atlanta board of directors gave final approval for the funding in August 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":2,"title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","promo_title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","published_date":"2017-11-01","featured_image":{"id":42,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sbal_awardees.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":233239,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.221-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.286-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.015-05:00","filename_hash":"sbal_awardees_gvVg9W3.jpg","width":800,"height":535},"filename":"ia-hosts-second-annual-small-business-excellence-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h9CJ3A","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:03:11.518-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.001-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245262848","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards at The Gathering Spot on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses. Eight Atlanta businesses were recognized for all they\u0026rsquo;ve done to strengthen our city\u0026rsquo;s small business sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Your determination has made Atlanta one of the most vibrant city\u0026rsquo;s for small business,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Whether it\u0026rsquo;s a tech startup or a brick and mortar business serving the community, entrepreneurs like you throughout Atlanta are changing our city for the better. You\u0026rsquo;re not only selling products and services, you\u0026rsquo;re creating new jobs, and building stronger communities. It\u0026rsquo;s your determination that has made Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector strong and successful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe theme of the event was \u0026ldquo;Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Spirit,\u0026rdquo; with entrepreneur and Spotify senior manager Amber Grimes delivering a riveting keynote address about the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t let anyone, ever, dim your light,\u0026rdquo; she told the audience.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, the first Excellence in Small Business Pitch Competition took place during the event, which brought together three emerging entrepreneurs to present how their business would create new economic opportunities. The presenters were Ngozi Chuku from Reel Chemistry, JaQuis McCullough from Numis, and Mbye Nije from Legal Equalizer. Legal Equalizer, an app that provides a crash course in civil and constitutional rights, took home the top prize.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2017 Small Business Excellence Award recipients were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSpotlight Award: Atlanta Movie Tours, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExcellence In Longevity: Like a River Salon and Spa LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFranchise Excellence: This Is It! Seafood \u0026amp; BBQ\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEntrepreneur Of The Year: Watkins Mortuary Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eManufacturing Excellence: The Good Hair Shop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExpansion Excellence: Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group Inc.\u0026rsquo;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommunity Favorite: The Trophy Room Barbershop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStart-Up Excellence: Doux South Specialties LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event sponsors were: Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Wharton Law, Ground Floor, New Realm Brewing Company, New Africa Business Association of Atlanta, and Shay Latte.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $11.5 million in 187 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $32.5 million from the private sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":3,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","published_date":"2017-10-31","featured_image":{"id":209,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"money2020_main.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":306850,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.398-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.688-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:23.205-05:00","filename_hash":"money2020_main_4X3bk4q.jpg","width":3362,"height":1815},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-partners-showcase-atlanta-fintech-at-money2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"adGRMA","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:34:07.568-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:22.537-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest FinTech innovation conference.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas in October for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest payments and financial services innovation conference. Working with the state of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and FinTech Atlanta, Invest Atlanta had an incredibly successful time in Las Vegas as the city, state, and region continue to rise as a leader in the FinTech industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe region was well represented at Money 2020, with 20 large Atlanta companies and 156 FinTech companies with a Georgia presence in attendance. In addition, 12 speakers and 14 panel sessions focused on the region\u0026rsquo;s strengths in the FinTech industry. In addition, the FinTech Atlanta team hosted a high-profile curated discussion with Bloomberg at a CEO dinner, while more than 60 people (14 large funds) attended their venture capital reception. The team hosted more than 10 individual meetings at a sold-out reception attended by 300 people. In addition, FinTech Atlanta posters and signs around could be sign throughout the event space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; for its role as the epicenter of a growing segment of the FinTech, or financial services, industry. Around 70 percent of U.S. financial transactions pass through Georgia. The state\u0026rsquo;s FinTech companies generate an annual revenue of more than $72 billion, and collectively process more than 118 billion transactions per year. Together, this represents $2 trillion of purchase volume each year, supporting nearly 4 million merchants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":4,"title":"Westside Community Builders Program Officially Launched","promo_title":"Westside Community Builders Program Officially Launched","published_date":"2017-10-30","featured_image":{"id":39,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"community_builders_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":192291,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:37.901-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:37.972-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:56.249-05:00","filename_hash":"community_builders_feature_xD2qEjD.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"westside-community-builders-program-officially-launched","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I1UL8A","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:41:58.394-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:55.686-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first members of the Community Builders program gathered at a welcoming reception to launch of the initiative.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first members of the\u0026nbsp;Community\u0026nbsp;Builders program gathered at a welcoming reception the Invest Atlanta offices on October 26 to mark the official launch of the initiative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta created the Community Builders program in response to growing interest from residents on the Westside to learn how to redevelop vacant, abandoned, and blighted commercial and multi-family properties. The goal of the program is to empower participants to partner with Invest Atlanta on the organization\u0026rsquo;s work on the Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough this program, participants will learn core property redevelopment skills, and once they complete it, they\u0026rsquo;ll be eligible to apply for funding assistance to support their own redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has committed $15 million to the Westside Community Fund and leverages these dollars in coordination with public and private partners to address critical areas of need \u0026ndash; such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, and retail development. The work is focused on the neighborhoods of English Avenue, Vine City, and Castleberry Hill.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe work is being done in several different areas. First, IA is working to create and retain the affordable workforce housing stock so more people can call Atlanta \u0026ldquo;home,\u0026rdquo; whether they\u0026rsquo;re renting, leasing, or looking to buy a home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, IA is working with developers to turn 24 vacant properties into new affordable housing units in English Avenue and Vine City that will go to families earning 80%-100% of the area median income. IA is also expanding employment opportunities through our support of great organizations like Westside Works, and supporting area small businesses on the Westside like Steed Media Group through grants and low-interest small business loans. In addition, IA is improving quality of life in many ways, from removing blight to creating greenspace, and reenergizing the MLK corridor with economic investment to supporting service organizations like Families First.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ultimate goals are to create jobs, invest in neighborhoods, and create greater equity in our communities. This is all being done along with our other economic and community development programs, as well as alongside Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s many public and private partners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":6,"title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","published_date":"2017-10-18","featured_image":{"id":211,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"demo_day_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":508154,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:17.804-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:18.163-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.640-05:00","filename_hash":"demo_day_feature_wjy1V4N.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"startups-pitch-at-second-annual-atl-aviation-innovation-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Wc1Ncg","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Six startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at the second annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day. Held on October 13, 2017 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering 7-minute pitches to representatives from the airport and several airlines.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you fail to innovate, you can lose market share and lose the hearts and minds of your customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures. \u0026ldquo;Even as an airport, we can lose control over our own destiny, so innovation is vitally important.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral of the presenting startups are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister cities of Newcastle, UK and Toulouse, France, and are participating in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program. DroneOps and ReciteMe are from Newcastle, and NanoMade is from Toulouse. All the other startups are all based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are working with startups in Atlanta interested in growing and expanding into new markets to help them explore opportunities,\u0026rdquo; said Noelle London, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;And we\u0026rsquo;re also excited to bring some of innovation and technology coming out of our sister cities in front of you today because we want that innovation to thrive in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at the Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators helped assemble nominees, and airport and airline representatives chose these pitch finalists:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDropOps:\u0026nbsp;Offers commercial drone construction, training, and technical support.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNanoMade:\u0026nbsp;Brings multi-point force sending on any material with their patented technology.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVolantio:\u0026nbsp;Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCognosos:\u0026nbsp;An IoT-as-a-service platform offering fully managed, end-to-end wireless sensing solutions for inventory tracking.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReciteMe:\u0026nbsp;A cloud-based web accessibility solution providing access to online and mobile content.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrustStamp:\u0026nbsp;Provides enterprises and consumers with identify and trust as a service through cutting-edge biometric solutions.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvidentID:\u0026nbsp;Offers a secure solution for business and individuals to share verified personal information.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":9,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":214,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_graduation_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":156439,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:54.115-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_graduation_feature_eX166EW.jpg","width":1953,"height":1465},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-celebrates-inaugural-graduating-class","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ib3Oxg","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:24:31.692-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:53.489-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance were Mayor Kasim Reed, Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI, and members of the WEI Advisory Board, including Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. As the only city-funded initiative of its kind in the nation, WEI is a 15-month business incubator program that fosters growth and sustainability through business education, financial literacy, access to mentors and consultants, and peer-to-peer networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I congratulate the 15 women entrepreneurs who participated in WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural year,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Their achievements over the past 15 months show what can happen when government and the private sector join together to provide access to resources, technology and hands-on mentorship. These women had the courage to lay their futures on the line and chase their dreams; their ambition inspires us all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vision for WEI was sparked by Mayor Reed during his first mayoral campaign. Launched in 2014, and guided by a seven-member advisory board, WEI aims to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s mission of elevating and strengthening its economic development efforts. Atlanta was recently ranked 18th out of 50 best global cities for women entrepreneurs in Dell\u0026rsquo;s 2017 Women Entrepreneur Index.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI\u0026rsquo;s first 15-member graduating class shows that women entrepreneurs are fearless, pioneering and worth championing,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI. \u0026ldquo;Their passion and accomplishments will serve as a great example of what can be achieved by the next class of WEI entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of the 15-month business incubator, nine of the 15 entrepreneurs have hired additional employees; six entrepreneurs have collaborated with fellow WEI classmates to create additional business opportunities; one entrepreneur has grown her 2017 revenues beyond $1.1 million; and, to date, the revenue gain of the first class of WEI entrepreneurs\u0026rsquo; businesses stands at more than $480K.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the graduation ceremony, the City of Atlanta announced that Flatiron City, which has partnered with the City since WEI\u0026rsquo;s inception, will extend office space leases to two graduating WEI entrepreneurs free of charge; WeWork, a national shared office space company located in Buckhead, will also provide free office space for three months to all of the WEI graduates; Jump Fund, a Tennessee-based venture capital firm, will come to Atlanta to invest in the businesses of the WEI women entrepreneurs; and WEI will now be a part of the Invest Atlanta team which will ensure the legacy of support for the WEI business incubator program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to congratulate the members of WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural class on their graduation,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Nearly 48 percent of women cite a lack of community support as a key challenge to starting a business, and in its first year, WEI has already created a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive community of entrepreneurs. These WEI businesses have generated more than $480,000 in revenue and created jobs, and they will continue to make a positive impact on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy for years to come. I\u0026rsquo;m glad WEI has joined the Invest Atlanta team, and I look forward to working together to support future women entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 15 women entrepreneurs honored during the WEI graduation ceremony were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLynn Lilly, CraftBox Girls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMelanie Rhodes, MelanCo. Enterprises/DSS Experts;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Hodgkins, SparkFire Active LLC;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJoanna Douglas, Parketing;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDawn Belisle, Delights by Dawn;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJeannell Darden, Cococurls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJennifer Bluemling, Borrowed By Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSherry Popovic, cME compete;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCicely Gay, Amplifiers Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLogan Williams, Rapid Parking Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAdrienne Brown, Adrienne J. Media;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTiffany Ray, Generation Infocus;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonica Hooks, m-oracle;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSheila Woodhouse, DoxMed; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTonya Hicks, Women Do Everything.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI recently completed the application process for the new 15-member class of women entrepreneurs. The businesses chosen to participate in the 2018-19 WEI incubator program will be announced in December 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":12,"title":"Two BRE Clients Open Office Expansions in the City of Atlanta","promo_title":"BRE Clients Open Office Expansions in the City of Atlanta","published_date":"2017-10-01","featured_image":{"id":217,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"salesloft_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":404870,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:58.775-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:59.220-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:04.117-05:00","filename_hash":"salesloft_feature_RJqe8rr.jpg","width":4761,"height":3571},"filename":"two-bre-clients-open-office-expansions-in-the-city-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"a6bFUw","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:03.672-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:03.672-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team saw two clients\u0026mdash;GCI Graphics and Salesloft\u0026mdash;open brand-new office spaces in September.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team saw two clients\u0026mdash;GCI Graphics and Salesloft\u0026mdash;open their brand-new office spaces in September.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, September 28, GCI Graphics cut the ribbon on their new 40,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Atlanta Industrial Park. The additional room will provide the 25-year-old company with the ability to add new jobs, take on more grand format printing projects, and serve their clients more efficiently.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The new GCI Graphics facility is truly one of a kind, and we are excited about the opportunity to give guests a behind-the-scenes look at our new space and allow them to experience the breadth of our unique capabilities first-hand,\u0026rdquo; said Greg Pappas, VP Business Development at GCI Graphics.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe following day, on September 29, the BRE team was at another ribbon-cutting ceremony, this time at Salesloft\u0026rsquo;s new 27,000 square-foot office space in Midtown. The company plans to grow from 150 to 500 employees by 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud to bring the SalesLoft team to the Regions Plaza and give them a wonderful space to make our customers succeed,\u0026rdquo; said Kyle Porter, CEO of SalesLoft. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re growing rapidly with an amazing, selfless culture, and we want our people to have the best possible location to do so.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt both events, company leaders thanked Invest Atlanta, members of the Atlanta City Council, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their assistance in ensuring these expansion projects came to fruition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":15,"title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","promo_title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":222,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"flatiron_poty_iainsight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":905179,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:44.937-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:45.114-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.421-04:00","filename_hash":"flatiron_poty_iainsight_mpoaK91.png","width":1029,"height":628},"filename":"flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BQTw3Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:30:28.854-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.404-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n FlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by ULI Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence. Invest Atlanta supported the renovation of the Flatiron building, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest skyscraper, into a next-generation office space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a $1.5 million Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a $11.2 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financing for this project was particularly creative, using various public and private sector financial tools,\u0026rdquo; one award juror told the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/15/project-of-the-year-flatiron-city-transforms.htm\"\u003eAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;In addition, this project took an existing Atlanta asset that was a burden in an important location downtown and repurposed it through adaptive reuse into a source of energy and creativity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":14,"title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","promo_title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":221,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"north_ave_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1483350,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.244-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.651-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:50.153-05:00","filename_hash":"north_ave_feature_bzneky8.jpg","width":5120,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"p5D3cg","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech officially launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFunded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond, the Smart Corridor will have more than 100 street sensors gather real-time data, which will then be used to provide efficient traffic management through data analytics. The goal is to improve traffic flow, increase automotive and pedestrian safety, and reduce emergency response times.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This event represents another giant step forward for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Smart City future, and it\u0026rsquo;s all about our progress in being first to the future,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Kasim Reed said at the ceremony. \u0026ldquo;The North Avenue Smart Corridor really is a game changer for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project is part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger Smart City strategy to implement a data-centric approach to improving quality of life, growing the local economy, and ensuring greater equity in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Avenue was chosen as the location for the initial pilot project because of its importance as an employment corridor and an important east-west transportation artery. The street connects Georgia Tech, Coca-Cola headquarters, Georgia Department of Transportation headquarters, the North Ave. MARTA rail station, and the Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Trail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta funded the purchase of smart cameras that will be used to gather critically important data. Several Atlanta-based technology companies are involved in implementing the project. Applied Information is providing connected vehicle infrastructure, and Surtrac will offer their Artificial Intelligence-based adaptive traffic signal system.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the dozens on hand to celebrate the occasion were Georgia Tech President G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson, Renew Atlanta General Manager Faye DiMassimo, Chief Information Officer Samir Saini, as well as Councilmembers Alex Wan, Andre Dickens, and C.T. Martin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n North Avenue\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":16,"title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-09-13","featured_image":{"id":223,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startup_feature_final.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1456523,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.498-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.661-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.877-05:00","filename_hash":"startup_feature_final_lpVQowr.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TTT30Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta announced the ten companies participating in the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta announced on September 5 that the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partners including the U.K. Department for International Trade, Sage and Metropole Toulouse, had selected the final ten companies for the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Startup Exchange is a one-week international residency which will provide four Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom. Two Toulouse-based and four United Kingdom-based companies will travel to Atlanta on this occasion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides the selected Atlanta companies a unique opportunity and resources needed to grow their business and ultimately create jobs here in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;I congratulate the Atlanta-based companies that will participate and share innovative ideas in this year\u0026rsquo;s Exchange. We also look forward to welcoming the French and British companies to Atlanta where they will find a city with a robust and growing startup community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based companies Qoins, a FinTech startup that encourages savings for millennials, and Babylogger, a software and hardware company that helps catalogue baby activities, will travel to the U.K. the week of November 14, 2017 during Venturefest North East. In addition, Vayando, a social impact travel organization and Volantio, an airline booking tool for improving flight utilization, will visit Toulouse the week of October 1, 2017 during the EmTech Conference.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse companies Nanomade and Nanolike, which provide IoT solutions applicable to smart cities initiatives, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta, which will take place October 8-14, 2017. They will be joined by Newcastle-based companies Drone Ops and Recite Me, which respectively provide commercial drone capabilities and web access solutions for the disabled.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, London-based companies Citizen and Immersive labs, two cyber-security companies providing authentication services and skills training, will participate in CyberCon the week of October 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, Toulouse, and the U.K. have partnered for the exchange based on the strength of existing relationships and shared growing industries. Over the course of the one-week residency in each location, the visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle. The Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development in 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":17,"title":"AEMI Awards Civic Impact Loans to Three Atlanta Social Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"AEMI Awards Civic Impact Loans to Three Atlanta Social Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2017-09-08","featured_image":{"id":224,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact_loan_1_share-1024x680.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":111248,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:36:39.672-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:36:39.825-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.849-05:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_loan_1_share-1024x680_kbVD1BO.jpg","width":1024,"height":680},"filename":"aemi-awards-civic-impact-loans-to-three-atlanta-social-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EiFTjg","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.274-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.274-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed on the first round of Civic Impact Loans going to three Atlanta social entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;officially closed on the first round of its new Civic Impact Loans program that will go to three Atlanta social entrepreneurs. The flexible, zero-percent interest rate loans will support honorCode, Marddy\u0026rsquo;s, and Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden as they seek to expand their businesses and make a greater impact in the communities they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We established the Civic Impact Loan fund to support local businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Michael Syphoe, Board Chair of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;From enhancing K-12 STEAM education to cultivating urban agriculture to supporting our city\u0026rsquo;s unique culinary culture, these three companies demonstrate how small social enterprises can have a big impact within our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These first three loan recipients all demonstrate how businesses can focus on the bottom line while also making a difference in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and a member of the AEMI board. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a place where social entrepreneurship can continue to thrive, and we look forward to supporting more social impact investing and talented enterprises in the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center for Civic Innovation assisted the entrepreneurs with the application process, and all three recipients are former CCI fellows or members. The three Civic Impact Loan recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ehonorCode: A non-profit social enterprise that provides curriculum and training to schools to bring computer science and social emotional learning into the general K12 classroom. honorCode plans to use the loan funding to hire an additional team member to facilitate more trainings for teachers within Atlanta Public Schools. Last year, honorCode won the 2016 Forbes Change the World Entrepreneurship Competition at their Under 30 Summit last year. And their Founder and CEO, Jeffrey Mart\u0026iacute;n, was recently honored on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 List and The Wharton School\u0026rsquo;s 40 Under 40 List, where Mart\u0026iacute;n is an alumnus (W\u0026rsquo;13).\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eGilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden: An outdoor kitchen to teach residents how to prepare healthy food for their families. Their goal is to improve community health in the area around Oakland City neighborhood through urban agriculture. Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s provides residents with access to fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry products.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMarddy\u0026rsquo;s: A shared kitchen space and marketplace for food-based entrepreneurs on the Westside. The owner, Keitra Bates, was recently featured on the NPR series, \u0026ldquo;Kitchen Table Conversations.\u0026rdquo; Her mission is to preserve culinary culture of the Westside by supporting home chefs within the community. Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has already provided support to the business with a loan to purchase the building where the business is located. Funding obtained through the Civic Impact Loan will be used for staffing and marketing purposes.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006 that specializes in providing gap financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods. In 2016, the AEMI board of directors approved the allocation of $100,000 to finance a pilot revolving loan fund for social entrepreneurship in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":20,"title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","promo_title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","published_date":"2017-08-31","featured_image":{"id":227,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hong_kong_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":764912,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:47.982-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:48.278-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:45.106-05:00","filename_hash":"hong_kong_1_E6xeJvV.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"ia-travels-to-hong-kong-to-exchange-transit-oriented-development-insights","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EEIDPQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Erika Davis from Invest Atlanta joined with other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eErika Davis, Senior Project Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Invest Atlanta, recently joined with several other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development, or TOD. Along with Davis, the Atlanta contingent included: William Johnson, Commissioner of Public Works; Jalal Slade, Senior Policy Advisor on Real Estate; and Catherine Buell, CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) .\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe group met with a variety of Hong Kong government officials to discuss housing, walkability, and connectivity to transit. With the Bureau of Land, the team learned that Hong Kong leases land to TOD developers, who generally prefer to focus on commercial development first rather than residential. These commercial developments, many of which sit on or near transit stations, offer convenience to city residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePublic transit is critically important to Hong Kong, since only 6 percent of residents own a car, and 90 percent of all commutes rely on public transportation. To handle the large ridership in an efficient way, the Atlanta team learned, HK officials have focused on improving pedestrian accessibility to stations in the central business districts. They\u0026rsquo;ve also worked to plan and developing new residential areas along rail transit extensions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, the Atlanta team also shared information about the city\u0026rsquo;s efforts on TOD. Davis presented on several of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent efforts on TOD. She spoke about the MLK Innovation Village is being created at Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station using repurposed shipping containers. She also presented about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role in supporting TOD at King Memorial MARTA Station. Through a $6 million Eastside TAD grant, IA is ensuring that 20 percent of the 400 residential units being constructed will be affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavis and the others concluded their trip by attending an international TOD and smart city conference, joining other officials from Singapore, China, and Vancouver, Canada.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":32,"title":"Executive Corner: GPTC’s Preisinger On the Emory Proton Therapy Center","promo_title":"Executive Corner: GPTC’s Preisinger On the Emory Proton Therapy Center","published_date":"2017-08-04","featured_image":{"id":239,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"gptc_exec_corner_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":811400,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:54:56.940-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:54:57.102-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:19.193-05:00","filename_hash":"gptc_exec_corner_feature_QgDeO5o.png","width":722,"height":541},"filename":"executive-corner-gptcs-preisinger-on-the-emory-proton-therapy-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XFyZJw","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:18.622-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:18.622-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Ashley Preisinger recently visited Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Executive Corner to discuss why they chose to build a facility in Midtown Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAshley Preisinger, President of the Georgia Proton Treatment Center, recently visited Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Executive Corner to discuss the benefits of proton therapy treatment, why they chose to build a facility in Midtown Atlanta, and how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have supported this effort. Take a look:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn July, the Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/07/14/cyclotron-emory-proton-therapy-center/\"\u003earrived in Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;and was loaded into the facility. A 78-wheel truck towing a 210-foot trailer was necessary to bring the 90-ton proton accelerator on its 250-mile journey from Savannah to Atlanta.Once complete, the Center will treat 35,000 cancer patients over the next 20 years using a highly-advanced form of radiation therapy. The new facility will be part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district, further solidifying the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination. It will also bring 128 permanent medical jobs and $500 million in projected economic impact to Midtown.Invest Atlanta provided the support necessary to make the project a reality. Our Board of Directors passed the issuance to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s existing debt. On June 28, 2017, the board approved the final bond pricing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":35,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-08-02","featured_image":{"id":242,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ia_exchange_graphic_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2556077,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.640-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:28.110-05:00","filename_hash":"ia_exchange_graphic_3_DNxejbQ.png","width":1837,"height":1378},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-2017-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"My7-Hg","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program\u0026mdash;a one-week international residency which will provide eight selected companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We look forward to building off the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s startup exchange by further strengthening the bonds between the Atlanta startup community with those in our sister cities of Toulouse and Newcastle,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta, the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta has become a top-ranked tech capital, thanks to our talent base, a growing cluster of 20 innovation centers and programs like this one that connect talented entrepreneurs from around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the program, Atlanta will also welcome four startups from Toulouse and the U.K. to participate in Atlanta Cyber Week scheduled for October 1- 7 or Venture Atlanta Week slated for October 8-14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are happy to launch this year\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program in partnership with the City of Toulouse, the U.K. Department for International Trade, Invest Newcastle and Sage. Our office works to provide Atlanta companies with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve substantial growth,\u0026rdquo; said Claire Angelle, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs. \u0026ldquo;The International Trade Administration reports that companies which export grow faster, pay higher wages and are more resilient than companies relying solely on the domestic market. We invite entrepreneurs throughout the region to apply for this exciting program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse and Newcastle were selected for sharing growing industries and strong, existing relationships with Atlanta. Over the course of the one-week residency, the selected startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients in the aerospace, smart cities and cybersecurity industries. Selected startups will also receive roundtrip airfare, accommodations, dedicated co-working space and ground transportation for one representative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\"\u003ewww.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":40,"title":"Dr. Klementich to CREW Atlanta: Let’s Strenghten Our Commercial Corridors","promo_title":"Dr. Klementich to CREW Atlanta: Let’s Strenghten Our Commercial Corridors","published_date":"2017-07-12","featured_image":{"id":248,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"commercial_corridors_metropolitan_feature_1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1603476,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T09:59:35.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T09:59:36.204-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:51.234-05:00","filename_hash":"commercial_corridors_metropolitan_feature_1_38XmLal.png","width":1042,"height":782},"filename":"dr-klementich-to-crew-atlanta-lets-strenghten-our-commercial-corridors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"isjSSg","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:50.120-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:50.120-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of investing in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging corridors for CREW Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich recently wrote about the importance of investing in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging corridors for the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Atlanta blog. Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s real estate industry will be deeply involved with this issue in the coming years, especially as the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population continues to grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.crewatlanta.org/\"\u003eCREW Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;is a member of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://crewnetwork.org/home\"\u003eCREW Network\u003c/a\u003e. Founded in 1982, CREW Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s mission is to influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by advancing the achievements of women. CREW Network is the industry\u0026rsquo;s premier business networking organization dedicated to supporting the achievements of women in commercial real estate. Its 8,000 members represent nearly every discipline within the industry and are located in 74 major markets across North America. CREW Network seeks to influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by focusing on fulfilling four key initiatives: business development, leadership development, industry research and career outreach.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eImages courtesy of City of Atlanta Department of Planning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere is Dr. Klementich\u0026rsquo;s article,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.crewatlantablog.com/strengthening-atlantas-commercial-corridors/\"\u003ereprinted in full\u003c/a\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStrengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Commercial Corridors\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy: Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPublished: July 12, 2017\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe future strength and equity of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy depends on several key factors, one of which is how we can effectively invest in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging commercial corridors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population is expected to double in the coming years\u0026mdash;from 465,000 today to an estimated 1.3 million by 2050\u0026mdash;a large percentage of these new residents will be living and working along our city\u0026rsquo;s major corridors. Therefore, we must invest in these to ensure they connect neighborhoods and accommodate growth in a way that benefits all Atlantans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe have all heard that many of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s driving directions include the phrase, \u0026ldquo;Go down Peachtree.\u0026rdquo; It\u0026rsquo;s our city\u0026rsquo;s most prominent street, connecting the areas with the highest employment densities in the region: Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Peachtree has thrived throughout Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s history, and will continue do so in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut Invest Atlanta is now focused on making targeted investments along corridors in Atlanta that are in development\u0026mdash;streets like Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Hollowell Parkway on the Westside, and Campbellton Road and Metropolitan Road in Southwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, all these major avenues share similar characteristics. They are all wide, multiple-lane roads filled with high-speed vehicular traffic. Commercial properties are often small and narrow in shape and separated long distances from each other by parking lots and underutilized properties. In addition, these corridors lack the amenities found in other parts of the city, such as greenspace and grocery stores.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo be successful, Invest Atlanta and many partners are working to address these issues. Working on multiple fronts, we hope to ensure these corridors become vibrant, attractive, and equitable connectors between neighborhoods for all forms of mobility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eImproving infrastructure along these corridors is a key focus area for us. Last year, Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta secured a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Innovation Corridor Project. The grant will fund improvements along MLK that include roadway enhancements such as synchronized traffic lights, new sidewalks, improved medians, and upgraded crosswalks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta are both working to create more greenspace along these corridors. Near Hollowell, the Bellwood Quarry will soon be transformed into a reservoir and Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s largest park. Along Metropolitan Parkway, the Invest Atlanta board has approved funding for a Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) plan and the creation of a multiuse trail through the area\u0026rsquo;s Tax Allocation District (TAD\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and our partners are also working to create concentrated nodes of activity along these corridors. We\u0026rsquo;re doing so by coordinating and reconfiguring investment through property assembly, improving the marketability to targeted users, such as grocery stores, and creating an improved \u0026ldquo;sense of place\u0026rdquo; in the process. We\u0026rsquo;re also working to activate commercial activity in a targeted away. A few years ago, Invest Atlanta provided a grant to EUE/Screen Gems with the expansion of their film studio on the former site of the Lakewood Fairgrounds on Metropolitan Parkway. More recently, our board approved a $410,000 Cambellton Road TAD grant to build the Fort Mac FiberNet that will serve residents and businesses along Cambellton Road, as well those in the Oakland City, Sylvan Hills, Venetian Hills, and Capital View neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd looking ahead, Invest Atlanta is working with MARTA to create an Innovation Village at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station adjacent to MLK, Jr. Dr. made entirely of repurposed shipping containers. This \u0026ldquo;iVillage,\u0026rdquo; first of its kind in the city, will offer transit-accessible, affordable office and retail space to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs eager to build and grow their new businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll these efforts go hand in hand with the work we do every day to support residents and business owners throughout the city through our small business loan programs and down payment assistance programs. Many of those who have used our programs live and work along these corridors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur approach here at Invest Atlanta will include a key focus on redeveloping our city\u0026rsquo;s most important commercial corridors. By doing so, we\u0026rsquo;ll strengthen the city\u0026rsquo;s core neighborhoods, address equity and support increased resiliency and mobility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":42,"title":"Economic Development Team Travels to Europe With Focus on FinTech","promo_title":"Economic Development Team Travels to Europe With Focus on FinTech","published_date":"2017-07-06","featured_image":{"id":250,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"copenhagen_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":145602,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:10:19.444-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:10:19.613-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:16.281-05:00","filename_hash":"copenhagen_feature_RJq84br.jpg","width":1536,"height":1152},"filename":"economic-development-team-travels-to-europe-with-focus-on-fintech","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sY4b0g","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:15.623-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:15.623-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta traveled to Copenhagen and London recently to continue their work attracting global FinTech companies to Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta traveled to Copenhagen and London recently to continue their work attracting global financial technology (FinTech) companies to Atlanta and the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRandi Mason, Director of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta, joined representatives from the Metro Atlanta Chamber along with other regional partners at the Money20/20 Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Money20/20 is one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest events focused on FinTech, with companies representing mobile, retail, marketing services, data, and technology. More than 3,700 payments and financial services professionals from around the world attended this year\u0026rsquo;s conference, including more than 1,000 CEOs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMason also traveled to the United Kingdom to meet with our counterparts\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.londonandpartners.com/\"\u003eLondon \u0026amp; Partners\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;about the upcoming\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170202005344/en/LondonAtlanta-Partnership-Launches-P20-Global-Payments-Industry\"\u003eP20 Annual Meeting\u003c/a\u003e. The P20 will be the first transatlantic payments initiative of its kind, and will convene 20 of the most influential leaders in the payments industry and top UK and US officials and regulators.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe P20 will rotate annually between London and Atlanta, with the inaugural session taking place this October in London. Attendees will gather together to discuss the importance of payments and FinTech to the world economy, the vital role both London and Atlanta play in the industry, and how our cities can work together to promote growth of the industry globally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"https://www.atpcoalition.org/transaction-alley\"\u003eTransaction Alley\u003c/a\u003e\u0026rdquo; thanks to the region\u0026rsquo;s robust and growing financial technology (FinTech) sector. Seventy percent of the nation\u0026rsquo;s financial transactions passing through Georgia-based software systems, and the state\u0026rsquo;s FinTech industry processes 118 billion transactions per year representing $2 trillion in transaction volume. Georgia is home to 90 FinTech companies, employing 30,000 professionals in state, and over 130,000 across the world.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough incentives, permitting assistance, and recruitment efforts, Invest Atlanta has worked to attract several prominent FinTech companies to the City of Atlanta. NCR is bringing more than 5,000 jobs to its new headquarter towers in Midtown near Technology Square. Global Payments is investing $18 million in a new headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Buckhead community. And Equifax, the credit reporting and financial technology giant, invested $17 million for an expansion of their offices at One Atlantic Center in Midtown, and will bring 800 jobs into the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":50,"title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","promo_title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","published_date":"2017-06-30","featured_image":{"id":259,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":794584,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.568-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.736-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.629-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1_JjMQrJo.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"innovation-village-made-of-shipping-containers-coming-to-mlk-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lBaP2w","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta board voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board recently voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using repurposed shipping containers at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe container village will provide transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We think there\u0026rsquo;s going to be an exciting mix of new, innovative businesses that have yet to open on MLK, Jr. Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta Real Estate Director Chris Leutzinger. \u0026ldquo;Hopefully these owners will decide this is a great area where they can spin off their businesses and build them along the corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the Innovation Village is complete, Invest Atlanta will solicit applications for tenants over the next six months, and those who are chosen will pay an affordable monthly rent pegged at cost recovery levels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s a really economical way to service this kind of incubation, and it\u0026rsquo;s a great project for that site,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta board member Randy Hazelton.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is partnering with MARTA on this project, and they see it as an innovative opportunity to jumpstart future interest in transit-oriented development (TOD) at this station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We reached out to MARTA to come up with this concept to utilize repurposed shipping containers,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Economic Development. \u0026ldquo;What we\u0026rsquo;ve come up with is a really unique opportunity for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Innovation Village is part of the larger effort led by Mayor Kasim Reed to invest in the MLK corridor. Last year, the City of Atlanta received a $10 million TIGER grant from the USDOT that will fund a portion of the $22 million in infrastructure improvements planned for MLK, Jr. Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":56,"title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","promo_title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","published_date":"2017-06-13","featured_image":{"id":265,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"kevin_infosec_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":189014,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.274-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.484-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.814-05:00","filename_hash":"kevin_infosec_feature_V1Do8K9.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"a-month-of-tech-travels-for-economic-development-team","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3swufw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team represented Atlanta, networked with company executives, and mett with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMembers of the Invest Atlanta team spent the month of June representing Atlanta, networking with company executives, and meeting with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences. These trips are part of IA\u0026rsquo;s larger strategy to attract and retain businesses from targeted industry sectors, including cybersecurity, health IT, and the biosciences.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, IA\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Economic Development, traveled to London on June 6 for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.infosecurityeurope.com/\"\u003eInfosecurity (Infosec) Europe\u003c/a\u003e, as well as London Tech Week the following week. During the week of June 19, Economic Development Director Randi Mason will be in San Diego for the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBIO International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to meet with biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations from around the world.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInfosec Europe is the continent\u0026rsquo;s top cybersecurity conference, welcoming more than 13,500 information security professionals this year. While there, Johnson made valuable connections with European tech companies, including several Welsh-based firms. Atlanta has a thriving cybersecurity sector, with a strong focus on financial technology, or FinTech. Fortune Magazine recently named Atlanta 1 of 7 cities that could become the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://fortune.com/2017/04/06/cyber-security-cities/\"\u003eworld\u0026rsquo;s cybersecurity capital\u003c/a\u003e, and the state of Georgia is home to 115 cybersecurity companies that generate a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantafdiportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/16-57-FDI-FINAL_WEB-2.pdf\"\u003equarter of the sector\u0026rsquo;s global revenue\u003c/a\u003e. Metro Atlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; thanks to its strength in FinTech, with the industry employing nearly 40,000 in the metro region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom June 12-16, more than 40,000 attendees from 70-plus countries came together for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://londontechweek.com/\"\u003eLondon Tech Week\u003c/a\u003e. The week-long conference provided IA with the chance to talk about Atlanta with an engaged tech audience. Johnson met with the corporate leadership of Skignz, a late stage start-up based in Middlesbrough, UK, who has an established base in Atlanta with plans to rapidly grow their presence in the US market. He also met with Teesside University\u0026rsquo;s innovation and workforce leadership to discuss how the institution supports local start-ups and entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBiotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;will bring over 1,100 biotech organizations to San Diego from June 19-22. While there, Randi Mason will network with global biotech and pharma leaders to talk about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing bioscience industry. Metro Atlanta is home to renowned national and global health organizations, including the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, CARE, The Carter Center, and the Task Force for Global Health. Health IT is a thriving industry in the state of Georgia, with over 250 companies employing around 30,000 people.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":62,"title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","promo_title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","published_date":"2017-06-07","featured_image":{"id":271,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"sister_cities_awards_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1658863,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.617-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.858-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:56.232-05:00","filename_hash":"sister_cities_awards_feature_xD2ne9y.png","width":1749,"height":1312},"filename":"atlanta-toulouse-international-startup-exchange-recognized-as-innovative-economic-development-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"woX4Cg","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta received the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta were honored with the the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development for a city with a population between 100,001 and 500,000. The Sister Cities Innovation Award for Economic Development recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual sister city programs that promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe prize was awarded in recognition of the launch of the first Atlanta International Startup Exchange with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city Toulouse, France. The goal of the exchange is to ingrain an international strategy in the foundation of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s emerging enterprises. The two-week residency program provided selected companies a platform for global expansion as well as identify potential partners, investors, clients, and access two of the top aerospace and tech industries clusters. The program also provided an opportunity to showcase Atlanta and Toulouse as economically-sound choices for future international operations to the visiting Toulouse-based and Atlanta-based companies, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSCI Award winners will be honored at the Lou Wozar Diplomatic Awards Dinner on Saturday, July 15 during SCI\u0026rsquo;s 61st Annual Conference in Virginia Beach, VA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":64,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","published_date":"2017-06-05","featured_image":{"id":273,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"innovateher_selfie.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":528101,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:16.945-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:17.265-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:43.101-05:00","filename_hash":"innovateher_selfie_W1aKkO3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1538},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-hosts-innovateher-challenge","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jmqY6w","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-launches-2017-innovateher-business-challenge-innovations-empower-womens-lives\"\u003eInnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;on Thursday, June 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovateHER is a national business competition seeking entrepreneurs who are creating products or services that have a measurable impact on women and their families, fills a need in the marketplace and has potential for commercialization. This is the third consecutive year that WEI has served as a local host for this national competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneur Initiative is honored to host this innovative business challenge geared specifically to women,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Founding Executive Director, WEI. \u0026ldquo;It is important to understand the value of empowering our local entrepreneurs with opportunities to bring their products and services to market. We\u0026rsquo;re proud of the caliber of talent we\u0026rsquo;ve seen in our Atlanta applicants and look forward to nominating one of them for the chance to compete on the national stage.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCesar Vence, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Project Manager of Business Attraction, served as one of the three judges, along with Jill Goodrich, President of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce, and Camille Wright of the Style Consortium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a rigorous application process, WEI, as well as other host organizations and SBA Resource Partners around the country, identified five applicants with the most innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas to participate in the pitch competition held at WEI headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five local entrepreneurs selected to pitch their business idea at the WEI Business Pitch Challenge were: Justina Davis, Omod\u0026eacute;; Jennifer Bluemling, Borrowed by Design; Asma Young, Hijabi Pop; Quyionah Wingfiled, Cool Moms Dance Too; and Courtney Harmon, The Bribe Bag.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJustina Davis was chosen to advance to the semi-final round and pitch her business, called Omod\u0026eacute;. SBA will then select up to 10 finalists who will be invited to the national InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge to be held this summer. The finalists will pitch their products and ideas to a panel of expert judges and compete for the top three awards along with $70,000 in prize money provided to SBA for the InnovateHER competition through a gift from the Sara Blakely Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ms. Davis is incredibly deserving of the nomination win and we\u0026rsquo;re proud to advance her to the next round of the InnovateHER competition. Omod\u0026eacute;, which fills a void in the market and taps into a unique need of mothers and families, is exactly the type of business that best aligns with the goals of the competition,\u0026rdquo; added Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched in May 2016 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative operates as an incubator for 15 women business owners designed to foster and promote interaction and engagement with their likeminded counterparts. Through an ecosystem of educational resources, access to funding assistance and mentorship, the women will grow their businesses, over the course of 15 months, and then transition the business back into the City of Atlanta at the culmination of that period.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":69,"title":"I-85 Business Resource Event Supports Area Businesses","promo_title":"I-85 Business Resource Event Supports Area Businesses","published_date":"2017-05-10","featured_image":{"id":280,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"i85_resource_event_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":499434,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:00.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:00.321-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:45.506-05:00","filename_hash":"i85_resource_event_400_5E5pVKD.jpg","width":4219,"height":3164},"filename":"i-85-business-resource-event-supports-area-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sDdmug","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:44.983-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:44.983-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and other participating organizations hosted the I-85 Small Business Resource Event at the Peachtree Hills Recreation Center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and more than a dozen participating organizations hosted the I-85 Small Business Resource Event on Tuesday, May 9 at the Peachtree Hills Recreation Center. At the event, businesses affected by the closure could meet with local service providers offering technical assistance, small and medium-sized business lending, consulting services, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the City of Atlanta, Mayor Reed, and the City Council, we are here to support you,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;We are not going away, this is what we do all the time. You will hear from us after the bridge is open to find out how your business was impacted.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe following organizations, representing a variety of areas, participated in the event:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTechnical Assistance Providers:\u0026nbsp;U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); Small Business Development Center (SBDC); SCORE\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTransportation Providers \u0026amp; Partners:\u0026nbsp;MARTA; Lyft; Livable Buckhead\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFinancial Assistance Providers:\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Small Business Team; ACE Loans; PNC; Wells Fargo\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eInsurance Providers:\u0026nbsp;BB\u0026amp;T Insurance; King \u0026amp; Spalding\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMunicipal \u0026amp; Membership-based Support:\u0026nbsp;City of Atlanta Office of Resilience; WorkSource Georgia; The Metro Atlanta Chamber\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, IA\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Business Development, also announced the launch of a Dine and Shop Week hosted by the Cheshire Bridge Road Restaurant \u0026amp; Retail Association. It\u0026rsquo;s part of the effort to attract customers back to the impacted area and support neighborhood businesses, and will run from Wednesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 21.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe decision to host the I-85 Business Resource Event was based on information Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team gathered soon after the closure. The BRE team spoke to businesses in the area to determine how the event impacted them. These businesses said they were facing three key challenges: a loss of customers, workers being delayed when commuting to work, and a delay in delivery times.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis feedback also helped our partners identify key actions to take in support of affected businesses. For example, MARTA extended their operating hours, and the city launched of the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/05/10/i-85-business-resource-event/commuteatl.com\"\u003eCommuteATL\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to shared up-to-the-minute traffic data.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoing forward, affected businesses can continue to reach out to Invest Atlanta with questions and concerns by email at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"mailto:bizimpact@investatlanta.com\"\u003ebizimpact@investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":80,"title":"Invest Atlanta Helps New Realm Brewing Come Home to Atlanta","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Helps New Realm Brewing Come Home to Atlanta","published_date":"2017-04-04","featured_image":{"id":290,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"new_realm_brewing_rendering_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":151761,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:37:30.575-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:37:30.740-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-07T15:41:27.312-05:00","filename_hash":"new_realm_brewing_rendering_feature_lpV22Dg.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"invest-atlanta-helps-new-realm-brewing-come-home-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kz2DVg","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:38:15.311-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:38:15.311-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New Realm Brewing will soon open in Poncey-Highlands along the Atlanta BeltLine, thanks in part to Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s behind-the-scenes efforts.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNew Realm Brewing, co-founded by well-known Brewmaster Mitch Steele, will soon open in Poncey-Highlands along the Atlanta BeltLine, thanks in part to Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s behind-the-scenes efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKent Spencer, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Business Expansion and Retention, provided New Realm Brewing\u0026rsquo;s three founding partners\u0026mdash;Steele, CEO Carey Falcone, and CMO Bob Powers\u0026mdash;assistance with site development and connectivity issues involved with their project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We probably would not be in Atlanta if it were not for Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Falcone. \u0026ldquo;Putting a stake in the ground in my home city is incredibly fulfilling.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNew Realm Brewing will serve craft beer and food within its new 20,000-square-foot facility on Ralph McGill Avenue, with plans to make create an \u0026ldquo;inviting, unique, and fun atmosphere\u0026rdquo; for its guests.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSteele comes to Atlanta from Escondido, California, where he worked for a decade as the Brewmaster at Stone Brewing, the 10th largest craft brewer in the U.S. Over the years, Steele has become known as a leading authority on IPA brewing techniques.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am looking forward to the opportunity to become part of the growing craft beer movement in Atlanta and the Southeast,\u0026rdquo; said Steele in the project\u0026rsquo;s official announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe news comes on the heels of good news for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s craft beer makers as the Georgia state legislature recently passed a bill allowing local breweries to sell their products directly to customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":82,"title":"Resurgens Fund Grants to Bring New Life to Eastside Properties","promo_title":"Resurgens Fund Grants to Bring New Life to Eastside Properties","published_date":"2017-03-24","featured_image":{"id":292,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hub_featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":62842,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:17.266-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:17.400-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:37.128-05:00","filename_hash":"hub_featured_xD2nnMq.jpg","width":788,"height":591},"filename":"resurgens-fund-grants-to-bring-new-life-to-eastside-properties","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"4D0Q3w","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:36.541-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:36.541-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One grant will allow The Ethical Property Group to create a new space for non-profit organizations.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their March meeting, the Invest Atlanta board approved two Resurgens Fund grants, including one that will allow The Ethical Property Group to create a new space for non-profit organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Resurgens Fund was deliberately created to with the intention of reactivating these vacant and obsolete buildings,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Vice President of Planning and Strategic Initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ethical Property Group will receive a grant of up to $547,565 to transform a vacant commercial property on Auburn Avenue into The Hub. The bottom floor of The Hub will offer office space for local non-profits, while the top floor will consist of short-term and long-term \u0026ldquo;micro unit\u0026rdquo; apartments. Two of the units will be available for rent with income restrictions to ensure affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipient of another Resurgens Fund grant of up to $297,115 will renovate a two-story historic building dating back to the late 19th century, at 101 Peachtree St. SW in South Downtown. Once fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvements and interior renovations are complete, the building will house a first-floor retail space and the second floor will bring two much-needed residential apartment units to the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Downtown, Fine pointed out, is an area where Invest Atlanta really sees a \u0026ldquo;tremendous need for this type of funding.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has now issued three Resurgens Fund grants within the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD). In December 2016, the board approved a $1 million grant for the future Sweet Auburn Ballroom, an entertainment space located along the Atlanta Streetcar route.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":83,"title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","promo_title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","published_date":"2017-03-22","featured_image":{"id":293,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_uk_featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":414784,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:30.895-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:31.208-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.577-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_uk_featured_ymr88v8.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"uk-women-entrepreneurs-learn-about-ia-small-business-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NwAa9Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Cynthia Freeman spoke to the entrepreneurs from the north of England about expanding their business in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCynthia Freeman, Loan Service Coordinator at Invest Atlanta, spoke to a group of women entrepreneurs from the north of England looking to expand their business in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Tuesday, March 21, at the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;office in the Flatiron building in Downtown, Freeman participated in the session, \u0026ldquo;Creative Financing for Startups \u0026amp; Small Businesses.\u0026rdquo; The powerhouse panel included Freeman, as well as Kathryn Petralia, Founder and Head of Operations at Kabbage, Genevieve Bos, Managing Partner of Thought Capital, and Mayte Peck, Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Business Center for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACE).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe panelists discussed the different ways small businesses can finance a small business expansion, including through equity investments, bank loans, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, microloans, or gap financing from organizations like Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you\u0026rsquo;re thinking about moving to the City of Atlanta, we\u0026rsquo;d like you to come in and work with Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Freeman. To receive a loan through Invest Atlanta, these entrepreneurs would first have to set up a subsidiary within the City of Atlanta. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta closed 174 loans representing $10.9 million and leveraging $41.3 million to support small businesses as they seek to expand or relocate to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman pointed out that 41 percent of the businesses that receive a loan through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs are owned by women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re very proud of that, and we\u0026rsquo;d like to get that number up,\u0026rdquo; she added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman\u0026rsquo;s participation in the WEI-hosted event is part of a larger strategy to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Atlanta by highlighting the city\u0026rsquo;s competitive business strengths and distinctive economic assets.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 2,500 foreign-owned enterprises employing nearly 135,000 people. Of these, 17,600, or 13.1 percent, are created by businesses headquartered in the U.K., making the island nation the second largest source of FDI by jobs created in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":91,"title":"Kevin Johnson Touts Airport’s ‘Booming Submarket’","promo_title":"Kevin Johnson Touts Airport’s ‘Booming Submarket’","published_date":"2017-02-28","featured_image":{"id":305,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"kevin-johnson-touts-airport-booming-submarket-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":64996,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:54.469-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:54.616-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:28.328-05:00","filename_hash":"kevin-johnson-touts-airport-booming-submarket-featured_lpV2oyg.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"kevin-johnson-touts-airports-booming-submarket","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GdAOfw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:27.701-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:27.701-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n He spoke at a panel discussion about the positive changes coming to the area surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of economic development and vice-chair of the Aerotropolis Alliance, spoke at the South Metro Development Outlook conference on February 23. He took part in a panel discussion about the positive changes coming to the area surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJoining Johnson on the panel were Michael Paris, president and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, and Roosevelt Council, the airport\u0026rsquo;s general manager.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Many companies are located in Atlanta because of our airport,\u0026rdquo; Johnson said. \u0026ldquo;The Aerotropolis is a booming submarket with many wonderful assets and many more to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The opportunities around the airport are immense,\u0026rdquo; added Paris.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the panel, Mayor Kasim Reed received the South Metro Development Outlook Award in recognition of his success in making the airport more successful than ever.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re doing absolutely amazing things here,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;This is south metro\u0026rsquo;s moment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor 15 years, Michael Hightower, managing partner at The Collaborative Firm, has convened elected officials and industry professionals interested in the counties of metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southern counties: Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry, Spalding, and\u0026nbsp;South Fulton. This year\u0026rsquo;s conference covered many topics, including the area\u0026rsquo;s thriving logistics industry, transportation, the region\u0026rsquo;s Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), and the airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHartsfield-Jackson is not only the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest and most efficient passenger airport, it\u0026rsquo;s also the economic engine and job creator for a significant chunk of metro Atlanta. The airport employs 63,000 people\u0026nbsp;onsite, making it the state\u0026rsquo;s largest employer, and enables\u0026nbsp;a total of\u0026nbsp;400,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic impact.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson sees plenty of opportunity for new companies to relocate or expand on the hundreds of undeveloped land within the \u0026ldquo;corporate crescent\u0026rdquo; along the airport\u0026rsquo;s north side. Delta Air Lines and Porsche North American already call the area home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I like to say that Atlanta has three central business districts: Downtown, Midtown, and\u0026nbsp;Buckhead,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson. \u0026ldquo;But the region has one central business district, the airport, and we need to start treating it that way.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson says the Aerotropolis Alliance is working to attract $1 billion in new private investment to the area within the next five to 10 years, not including the improvements already underway at the airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re making a statement, putting a stake in the ground, that\u0026nbsp;this place will lead the region in the future,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRoosevelt Council spoke about the $6 billion ATL Next capital improvement project he\u0026rsquo;s overseeing. Once work is complete, the airport will have a 4-start InterContinental Hotel, a sixth runway, the new Concourse G, an expanded Concourse T, and enough cargo capacity to make it a top 5 cargo airport. Council pointed out that 27,000 jobs are tied to air cargo in the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncil emphasized that even with the continued growth of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, his focus would remain on ensuring the people of the south metro region benefit from the influx of new investment and jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Despite our size, we see ourselves as a community airport,\u0026rdquo; Council said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":94,"title":"The 2017 Business Client Experience Survey Is Live","promo_title":"The 2017 Business Client Experience Survey Is Live","published_date":"2017-02-13","featured_image":{"id":312,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":80098,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:33.488-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:33.648-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:12.496-05:00","filename_hash":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live-featured_bznOkQg.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"V3jRMA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:11.953-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:11.953-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta launched the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to learn how we can better serve the city\u0026rsquo;s 17,000 small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has launched the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to learn how our Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team can better serve the city\u0026rsquo;s 17,000 small businesses. (Take the survey\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and please share with others.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is a great place to start a business. NerdWallet recently named Atlanta it\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/226485\"\u003e#1 place to start a business\u003c/a\u003e, while Thumbtack found the city had a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/06/16/atlanta-no-10-best-environment-for-small-business.html\"\u003eTop 10 small business-friendly environment\u003c/a\u003e. And Invest Atlanta assists local enterprises in several ways, including one-on-one consultations with the BRE team and a robust\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/business/small-business-loan-programs/\"\u003esmall business loan program\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, Invest Atlanta is always looking for ways to make things even better for entrepreneurs looking to launch, grow, or accelerate their businesses. To help the organization do just that, the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;asks participants to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business environment. What\u0026rsquo;s working? What\u0026rsquo;s not? Is anything holding back further expansion? And the survey asks why, like so many other entrepreneurs, did they choose Atlanta?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the data is gathered, experts at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will analyze it and help Invest Atlanta produce a final report on the state of small business in the city. The report will lay out what Invest Atlanta, as well as the City of Atlanta, is doing right and what can be improved to assist small businesses more effectively. Survey participants will be sent the final report before it is released to the general public.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious surveys have helped deliver results for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses. For example, after receiving feedback from emerging tech companies, Invest Atlanta championed occupation tax and license fee exemptions for new businesses classified as high technology, life sciences, and intellectual property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYour participation can help make a difference for small business in Atlanta, so please take the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":100,"title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","promo_title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","published_date":"2017-02-07","featured_image":{"id":322,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72356,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.301-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.456-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:35.058-05:00","filename_hash":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494_p5VDEMr.jpg","width":1024,"height":494},"filename":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oLXqKQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants. Over the course of two days, Invest Atlanta learned more about their businesses, and the WEI entrepreneurs learned more about the services Invest Atlanta can provide.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta BRE team shared information about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s resources and programs. They covered many topics, including access to capital, site location, government procurement, supply chain, workforce, and tools to help the entrepreneurs grow their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re committed to seeing you succeed,\u0026rdquo; said BRE Manager Kent Spencer. \u0026ldquo;We want success, big success, coming out of WEI.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI entrepreneurs come from different backgrounds and run a variety of types of businesses. Yet everyone who presented at the Demo Day demonstrated the intelligence, drive, and willingness to take risks that any successful business owner must have.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLogan Williams is preparing to transition away from her successful towing business,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://rapidparkingsolutions.com/\"\u003eRapid Parking Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, to create an innovative 12-week academy for truck drivers. She plans to craft a well-rounded curriculum for drivers along with in-the-field training. She\u0026rsquo;ll also offer hands-on experience with other aspects of the business, such as dispatching and customer service. Logan\u0026rsquo;s main need is finding a space for her business, with an office and an outdoor training area. Spencer told her he could help her locate an available space within her budget.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTonya Hicks, who describes herself as a \u0026ldquo;mom, entrepreneur and electrician,\u0026rdquo; has started the company\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/women-do-everything/\"\u003eWomen Do Everything\u003c/a\u003e. Tonya\u0026rsquo;s company provides home repair and management services for professional women and couples in the Atlanta Metro Area. Hicks is also looking for office space and wants to hire full-time staff, with benefits. BRE coordinator Cesar Vence told her about the benefits of locating in an Opportunity Zones, as well as the Eastside TAD grants and small business loans available through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The feedback from my presentation was very good for me,\u0026rdquo; said Hicks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed first had the vision for WEI during his first campaign for mayor, and under the leadership of Executive Director Theia Washington Smith, WEI has provided the first group of entrepreneurs a high-quality workspace at the Flatiron Building, tech resources through Microsoft, and mentorship opportunities. In its first year, WEI has already become more than a brick and mortar resource\u0026mdash;it\u0026rsquo;s now a vibrant, collaborative and supportive community that will support entrepreneurs for years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and WEI will continue to support program participants as they build their companies, and both organizations are especially focused on providing the right resources to make the path to job creation more accessible for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpencer and Vence were excited to find out all of the entrepreneurs said they were planning to stay and grow, hiring locally in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to stay here and keep our business here,\u0026rdquo; said Lynn Lill of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://craftboxgirls.com/\"\u003eCraftbox Girls\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;We love Atlanta!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":105,"title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","published_date":"2017-01-30","featured_image":{"id":335,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":41531,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.371-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.542-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:35.421-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured_QgDnwml.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8HOoqw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagger International, Inc. received a $50,000 loan to update and renovate Hagger Station, their convenience store serving the Vine City and English Avenue communities. They plan to purchase new equipment for food and beverage service, as well as update existing furniture fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePamela Baker, an H\u0026amp;R Block tax return preparer and proprietor of Baker Taxx Services, is currently leasing a space on Martin Luther King Drive in southwest Atlanta. She plans to use the $50,000 loan she just closed with Invest Atlanta, along with additional bank financing, to purchase a building of her own along the MLK corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth of these entrepreneurs were assisted through the Business Improvement Loan Fund, one of seven available loan funds Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Small Business team taps to provide gap financing to business owners throughout Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his time at Invest Atlanta, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Director of Small Business Development Lonnie Saboor has worked on over 600 projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to fill the gap for good projects in the City of Atlanta that we think are deserving of financing,\u0026rdquo; said Saboor. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to make dreams come true.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmall business owners interested in learning more about working with Invest Atlanta to start or grow their business can learn more by attending the next informational seminar on Wednesday, February 22 at 5 pm. Future seminars will be held on the third Wednesday of every month.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":109,"title":"Invest Atlanta Holds First “Family Day” Event","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Holds First “Family Day” Event","published_date":"2017-01-17","featured_image":{"id":341,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":53828,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:54.099-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:54.253-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:27.161-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event-featured_lpV2LwY.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qPk3zQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:26.720-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:26.720-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta opened its doors to family members of Invest Atlanta employees\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast month before the December holidays, Invest Atlanta opened its doors to family members of Invest Atlanta employees. For this first-ever Family Day event, staff was invited to bring their kids, spouse, siblings, parents and other family members for a morning of fun and holiday refreshments at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKids enjoyed several different activity centers, including holiday craft-making, games, and an animated movie. Everyone received a tour of the office, featuring a birds-eye view of the many projects Invest Atlanta has supported over the years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich also led an interactive discussion about Invest Atlanta and its role in helping residents of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":110,"title":"Invest Atlanta’s Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","promo_title":"Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","published_date":"2017-01-11","featured_image":{"id":343,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":30308,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:06.997-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:07.143-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:24.418-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured_7J6b4Eb.jpg","width":526,"height":394},"filename":"invest-atlantas-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ovHTYg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo;.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia in December 2016 to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo; sponsored by the U.S. Department of State\u0026rsquo;s Office of Citizen Exchange. Councilmember Kwanzaa Hall also attended as a representative of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum focused on how a developing nation like Armenia can learn how cities like Atlanta have successfully cultivated a thriving start-up and innovation ecosystem. Attendees shared some of the best practices they\u0026rsquo;ve found work best to encourage the development of local tech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdams shared how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are supporting and partnering with the start-up community, specifically through several emerging Smart City initiatives that include partnerships with tech companies to collect and analyze complex traffic data.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think the idea of collaboration between governments, large companies, and startups is where we see a lot of success,\u0026rdquo; said Adams. \u0026ldquo;Governments can\u0026rsquo;t make a startup successful, but they need to recognize that in the digital economy if you are not supporting startups you are effectively encouraging them to go elsewhere. Supporting the startups helps keep them where they started.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum was organized with support from the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia and the Digital Communication Network (DCN). The DCN is a 2,000-member group of digital professionals from Europe\u0026rsquo;s Baltic region who come together regularly to engage in cross-sector learning and information sharing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eArmenia faces immense challenges, including a limited export market, as they seek to modernize their post-Soviet economy. Officials there have turned to the internet economy as a way to \u0026ldquo;bootstrap\u0026rdquo; their way to growth. The country has been especially focused on preparing their students to thrive in the 21st century workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSam and the forum participants toured an after-school teaching facility in Gyumri that focuses on six tech-related modules, including web development and animation. They also oversaw a pitch competition and heard from tech leaders from the U.S., Israel, and the Netherlands who spoke about their experiences in tech.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Look at IT ecosystem as a community,\u0026rdquo; added Adams. \u0026ldquo;That can be anything from weekly drinks with other people in startup community who understand what you\u0026rsquo;re going through to conferences like this. Creating that sense of community and support is huge.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":122,"title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back Through United Way During Holidays","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back Through United Way During Holidays","published_date":"2016-12-12","featured_image":{"id":355,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":59851,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:11:56.927-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:11:57.072-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.924-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays-featured_8myVW6K.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EYR69Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.508-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.508-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Staff from Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs came together to support families through the United Way.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStaff from Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs came together to support needy families through the United Way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Friday, December 2, the group gathered together to pack hundreds of snack bags destined for children at City of Refuge. Serving Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods since 1997, City of Refuge provides housing, health care, educational programs, vocational training, and more to families in need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe goal was to beat the number set during last year\u0026rsquo;s Bag-a-Thon, and the staff came through by donating snacks and assembling 435 bags. Nick Mulkey and Justin Giboney helped load up the snack bags for Michele Lewis, who delivered them to City of Refuge that afternoon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStaff also pledged $9,191 to support various charities through the 2017 United Way Campaign. Dorothy Williams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Director of Human Resources, deserves special thanks for taking the lead on both the Bag-a-Thon and the fundraising effort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany others were part of these efforts, including: Daphne Crosby, Shelease Tucker, Vanessa Angulo, Keisha Trujillo, Leanda Robles-Collins, Sheoyki Jones, Vickey Roberts, Anita Allgood, Rita Coppock, Stephen McRae, LaTonya Hopper, Dale Royal, Payson Schwin, Cynthia Freeman, and Sam Adams. Taylor Woodruff and Vanessa Ibarra from the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs also joined in.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":125,"title":"Board Member Anna Foote Honored at Final Meeting","promo_title":"Board Member Anna Foote Honored at Final Meeting","published_date":"2016-12-06","featured_image":{"id":358,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":236326,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:00.170-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:00.328-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:20.060-05:00","filename_hash":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting-featured_Pg7zRlZ.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rDWC1A","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:19.648-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:19.648-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Andrew Dickens, and Eloisa Klementich came together to bid a fond farewell to Anna Foote.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Council Member Andrew Dickens, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich came together at the December 5 board meeting to bid a fond farewell to Anna Foote.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA board member since 2008, Anna was recognized for exemplifying what being a true community leader is all about. During her tenure Invest Atlanta went through an unprecedented period of organizational and economic growth, creating 26,478 jobs since 2010.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnna received the city\u0026rsquo;s highest accolade, the Phoenix Award, from Mayor Reed for her \u0026ldquo;professional and relentless\u0026rdquo; service to Atlanta. Councilman Dickens presented her with a City Council Proclamation, which he read aloud, and Dr. Klementich presented Anna with a token of appreciation on behalf of Invest Atlanta staff.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter receiving several standing ovations, Anna said that while her retirement from the board is bittersweet, she is confident Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work will continue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The city is in the hands of amazing people,\u0026rdquo; said Anna.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout her time on the board, Anna has been a passionate advocate for job creation and community revitalization. Anna always went beyond the call of duty, dedicating herself to improve Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s financial stability, clarity of purpose, and accountability. She brought a deep well of knowledge and experience to the board gained during her distinguished career in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and community activism.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Anna provided a voice for those in Atlanta who have the least, making her fellow board members and Invest Atlanta staff all the more aware of how the organization can have a positive impact on each and every Atlanta resident. Her legacy will be felt for many years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnna\u0026rsquo;s work on behalf of the City of Atlanta will continue following her retirement from the board. As Executive Deputy Director of Administration at HOPE Atlanta, she\u0026rsquo;ll still be working hard to provide a comprehensive safety net for thousands of metro Atlanta residents in need. Earlier this year, she took on an important leadership role as the Board Chair of the Little Five Points Community Improvement District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":128,"title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","published_date":"2016-11-21","featured_image":{"id":361,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":75760,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.129-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.288-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:38.045-05:00","filename_hash":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured_OPqgZZP.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vLrpyQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Startups from around the world pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at the first Aviation Innovation Demo Days.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from around the world had the opportunity to pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at what might be the first of many Aviation Innovation Demo Days. Held in November during the final week of the Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering their pitches to representatives from the airport, TSA, and Global Fortune 500 companies including Delta, Lufthansa, and Southwest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea is to put some interesting concepts in front of you,\u0026rdquo; said Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;Ultimately, we want to provide a platform for emerging enterprises to showcase their technologies and possibly generate new business with the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport and its leading airlines.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Innovation is about adding new value for customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures, to kick off the event. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re concerned about innovation because we want to continually add value for our 101 million passengers a year.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll six of the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators\u0026mdash;including Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), TechStars, The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), and Switchyards\u0026mdash;helped the Demo Day assemble 23 nominees. That list was then narrowed down to 11, and with input from airport and airline representatives, these 6 finalists were chosen:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://donecle.fr/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDonecle\u003c/a\u003e: Uses autonomous drones to inspect airplanes and detect defects in real-time.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.uwinloc.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUwinloc\u003c/a\u003e: Provides low-energy radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track inventory at a lower cost.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.predikto.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePredikto\u003c/a\u003e: Provides predictive analytics service that leverages data to optimize operations and flag equipment failures.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://pointivo.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePointivo\u003c/a\u003e: Creates accurate as-built drawings with a smartphone camera.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.volantio.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e: Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://verisolutions.co/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVeriSolutions\u003c/a\u003e: Installs sensors in eateries to improve food safety.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTwo of the startups, Donecle and Uwinloc, are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city of Toulouse, France. Both companies were selected to represent Toulouse in the two-week\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=1317\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAtlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;program. The other four startups are based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":131,"title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","promo_title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","published_date":"2016-11-15","featured_image":{"id":364,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":71780,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.045-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.196-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.859-05:00","filename_hash":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured_2amLgwr.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5MExAg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s FinTech businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Senior Vice President of Economic Development Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s financial technology (FinTech) businesses. He was also there to explore possibilities for those businesses to expand abroad and to encourage foreign companies to look at Atlanta as a potential site for relocation or the creation of a new branch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe festival, held from November 14-18, is being hosted jointly by the Association of Banks in Singapore and the U.S. Commercial Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 90 FinTech companies employing 30,000 people, and thanks to the industry\u0026rsquo;s large presence, the region has become known as \u0026ldquo;transaction alley.\u0026rdquo; The American Transaction Processors Coalition reports more than 60 percent of U.S. FinTech companies are located in Atlanta, and 70 percent of credit card swipes in this country\u0026mdash;85 billion transactions in total\u0026mdash;flow through Georgia every year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financial technology industry is one of those targeted industry clusters where we have a proven, significant competitive advantage,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson will be speaking on four separate panels about the industry\u0026rsquo;s growing presence in Atlanta and the resources and incentives available in the City of Atlanta to FinTech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ll talk about the close relationship FinTech companies have with educational institutions in metropolitan Atlanta, the curriculums those institutions are developing to support the industry, and the supportive ecosystem that exists here in Atlanta thanks to associates like the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC),\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson noted the FinTech Festival provides Invest Atlanta with a wonderful opportunity to further that cooperation, possibly through a visit by Singapore\u0026rsquo;s corporate and government leaders to Atlanta to discuss future partnership opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to work closely, both domestically and globally, with partners like Singapore that also have a strong FinTech industry presence,\u0026rdquo; added Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":134,"title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","published_date":"2016-11-14","featured_image":{"id":366,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":191401,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:21.999-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:22.153-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.519-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured_ZO6mDzK.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CtBPBg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead networking and fitness event\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead a networking, empowerment, and fitness event for women who contribute daily to the growth of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeld on the final weekend of October in the Atlanta City Hall Atrium, the event recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raised more than $1,100 for the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich co-hosted the gathering with Candace Byrd, chief of staff for the City of Atlanta, and WEI Director Theia Washington-Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e#PowerWomenSweat promotes the maintenance of an active lifestyle and healthy relationships for women through an intense two-hour seminar that includes a networking workshop and dance workout routine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrimes described the benefits of her unique program this way: \u0026ldquo;Women tend to be stripped of their egos in a fitness environment and become more vulnerable, approachable and pleasant. It\u0026rsquo;s the next generation of networking events, because it actually works!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":135,"title":"New UPS Facility Coming to South Atlanta","promo_title":"New UPS Facility Coming to South Atlanta","published_date":"2016-11-11","featured_image":{"id":367,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ups_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":33611,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:34.898-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:35.057-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:52.593-05:00","filename_hash":"ups_feature_jpv6PlO.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-ups-facility-coming-to-south-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A9SKOw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:52.578-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:52.578-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal announced that UPS will create 1,250 jobs and invest more than $400 million\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal announced that United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), a package delivery company, will create 1,250 jobs and invest more than $400 million to establish a regional sorting and distribution hub in Atlanta by the end of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased to see that UPS, a Fortune 500 company and mainstay in Atlanta for many years, will plant deeper roots in our city with this new hub of operations,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This investment in southwest Atlanta will not only create 1,250 new jobs, but strengthen our position as an international hub for logistics supported by the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport and the many global companies who call Atlanta home.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUPS will create supervision, administrative and warehouse positions for the new sorting and distribution hub.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia demonstrates an enduring commitment to industry leaders and job creators. With this investment, UPS will use Georgia\u0026rsquo;s location, transportation infrastructure and logistics sector to reach customers more quickly and more efficiently. UPS is already making a substantial economic impact in the Atlanta area and we look forward to the company\u0026rsquo;s continued success,\u0026rdquo; said Governor Deal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUPS employs more than 14,000 Georgia residents in package delivery operations, ground freight, aircraft operations, data center management and contract logistics. Product and technology development, global transportation network planning and other corporate staffs are based in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;UPS has proudly made its global headquarters in Atlanta for more than two decades,\u0026rdquo; said David Abney, UPS chairman and CEO. \u0026ldquo;This strategic capital investment will feature state-of-the-art technology. When combined with the strong transportation connections and talented labor pool that Atlanta provides, UPS is building flexibility to meet the growing needs of our customers and our business in Georgia, and around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited that UPS has decided to expand its operations in the City of Atlanta with this major distribution center,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;This new facility represents a significant economic investment in the southside of Atlanta that will provide residents access to new jobs across a spectrum of skill levels. Invest Atlanta looks forward to working with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and UPS to build a pipeline of qualified professionals for these positions.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that our county leaders had the foresight to realize the value of this land and work closely with UPS to make this exciting project happen,\u0026rdquo; said John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Commission. \u0026ldquo;The benefits it will bring in terms of jobs and investment are immeasurable. This is a huge shot in the arm and yet another example of the economic engine that Fulton County has become.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Director of Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Lindsay Martin represented the Global Commerce division throughout this project in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Fulton County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an exciting day when UPS, a company with such deep roots in our state, announces they are creating an even bigger footprint in Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;This announcement is a testament to our world-class logistics infrastructure and reliable workforce \u0026ndash; both which are critically important to meeting the needs of UPS\u0026rsquo; customers. We look forward to working with UPS as they establish a regional hub in Fulton County.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":140,"title":"Successful Entrepreneurs Recognized at IA’s Excellence in Small Business Awards","promo_title":"Successful Entrepreneurs Recognized at IA’s Excellence in Small Business Awards","published_date":"2016-11-02","featured_image":{"id":372,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"small_business_awards_2016.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":82527,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:56:35.023-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:56:35.167-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.583-05:00","filename_hash":"small_business_awards_2016_jpv6PjW.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"successful-entrepreneurs-recognized-at-ias-excellence-in-small-business-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FJACaA","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.034-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.034-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245385018","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta recognized thirteen local businesses for strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector at the agency\u0026rsquo;s first small business awards luncheon.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recognized thirteen local businesses for their role in strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector at the agency\u0026rsquo;s first small business awards luncheon. The award ceremony was held October 26 at The Commerce Club in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll but one of the honorees have used Invest Atlanta loans to grow and sustain their businesses successfully over time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spotted Trotter took home Entrepreneur of the Year honors. Co-owner Megan Ouzts credited Invest Atlanta for being \u0026ldquo;part of our financial team and, quite frankly, part of our family.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFoster and Associates, a/k/a Atlanta Headshots, received the Excellence in Longevity Award. The company\u0026rsquo;s been in business 45 years, thanks in part to a loan from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s predecessor agency that allowed them to expand to their present size.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Expansion Excellence Award went to Naan Stop Experience, an Indian food restaurant that with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s help recently added a successful second location. \u0026ldquo;We now have two locations, thanks to Invest Atlanta believing in us,\u0026rdquo; co-owner Samir Idnani said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been fantastic to have the confidence and support from Invest Atlanta so that we could build our dream and grow Naan Stop.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipients of the Community Favorite Awards, which go to local retail- or service-based businesses, were Alfajr Trading Company, Inc. (District 4), Preston CPA (District 6), and SW Experience LLC (District 11).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther small businesses honorees included:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSecurity Investment Group, Franchise Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRainey Manufacturing Company, Manufacturing Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Westview Holdings, LLC, Excellence in Commercial Development award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Epsten Group, Excellence in Innovation award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMcArthur\u0026rsquo;s Apothecary, LLC, Startup Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRolling Out Magazine, Media Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThought not a small business, the GSU Small Business Development Center received the Partnership Excellence Award in recognition of the technical services they have provided to several of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s existing and prospective clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 2001 to 2016, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $10 million into more than 150 businesses, and leveraged $41 million in total project costs to help those businesses grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":139,"title":"Anthem locates IT hub in Midtown Atlanta","promo_title":"Anthem locates IT hub in Midtown Atlanta","published_date":"2016-11-01","featured_image":{"id":371,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":116291,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:23.731-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:23.872-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:55:15.798-05:00","filename_hash":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta-featured_ymr8pP8.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"s3itbg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:38.374-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:38.374-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Anthem, Inc. is locating an information technology services hub at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown, creating 1,800 jobs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAnthem, Inc., one of the largest health benefits companies in the U.S., is locating an information technology services hub at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown Atlanta that will create more than 1,800 jobs. The company will invest more than $20 million in Atlanta over the next six years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am excited that Anthem has chosen Atlanta for its consolidated IT business, where the company will have access to a base of highly skilled workers and a thriving business community focused on building for the future,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This move demonstrates that Atlanta is the region\u0026rsquo;s leader in technology and IT talent. This year alone three major Fortune 500 companies have established IT and innovation centers in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA contributing factor to Anthem\u0026rsquo;s decision to bring the immense IT services consolidation project to Midtown was the key information that Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Georgia Power provided to Anthem about the benefits of doing business in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s continued attraction of significant information technology centers is a testament to our city\u0026rsquo;s strong knowledge-based economy, which is fueled by an educated and skilled workforce that has driven steady job growth for many years,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In addition to a strong base of talent, Atlanta offers companies and their employees a high quality of life and low cost of living that surpasses other major metropolitan areas.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmployees at the new IT hub at Bank of America Plaza will be able to closely collaborate with their counterparts at the Anthem Innovation Studio, which recently opened in Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":143,"title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":375,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77732,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.084-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.231-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:13.386-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured_JjMpVVk.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kHPLAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four companies will join the two-week residency program Invest Atlanta launched with the City of Atlanta and Toulouse, France.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour companies \u0026ndash; two based in Atlanta and two in France \u0026ndash; will take part in the first Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange, a two-week residency program that Invest Atlanta has launched along with the City of Atlanta and the City of Toulouse, France.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based Carbice Nanotechnologies and Partpic, Inc., as well as French startups Donecle and Uwinloc, are the participants in the program, which will provide support resources that help these businesses obtain investment capital, seek out export opportunities and develop a business plan for international expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was instrumental in the development of the Startup Exchange, having led a trade mission to Toulouse last year that followed a City of Atlanta delegation visit to that city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eExecutives from Carbice and Partpic will take their residency at the Airbus BizLab and the CapGemini Lab\u0026rsquo;innovation, where they\u0026rsquo;ll meet with French entrepreneurs as well as top European business sector officials, investors and executives. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend emTech France 2016, an international conference that spotlights emerging technologies and brings startups together with global venture capitalists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since the overwhelming majority of global consumers are outside the United States, businesses need to export to be successful,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Startup Exchange will give Carbice and Partpic exposure to a critical mass of aerospace business innovators and a way to grow within Europe.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn November, executives from Donecle and Uwinloc will fulfill their residencies at the Garage at Tech Square and engage in programs at the Atlanta Technology Development Corporation, Sandbox, and the Consulate General of France in Atlanta. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend the annual Venture Atlanta Conference, an event that draws more than 1,000 visitors and has inspired more than $1.3 billion in startup investment since 2002.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":133,"title":"New Foreign Investment Program to Fund Economic Development Projects","promo_title":"New Foreign Investment Program to Fund Economic Development Projects","published_date":"2016-10-06","featured_image":{"id":352,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":61788,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:04:21.132-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:04:21.260-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:14.633-05:00","filename_hash":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects-featured_8myVW89.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lbo36g","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:13.586-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:13.586-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the Invest Atlanta Regional Center, a foreign investment program to fund economic development projects and new jobs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn October 6, Invest Atlanta announced the Invest Atlanta Regional Center, a foreign investment program that will fund economic development projects and new jobs as well as promote the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development initiatives internationally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To increase investment and jobs in Atlanta, we need to leverage all available tools that create meaningful economic and community development projects,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Regional Center will provide loans to projects from EB-5 funds contributed by foreign investors. Typically available as low-interest, five-year loans, the EB-5 funds will support projects that create at least 100 jobs. These investments can finance senior or subordinated loans and be combined with IA\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and Tax Allocation District (TAD) programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is establishing the EB-5 Regional Center in partnership with GILS Management Group, a private firm that specializes in EB-5 programs. In reviewing and approving projects for funding, the center will give top priority to proposed developments located in federally designated Target Employment Areas (TEAs) throughout the City of Atlanta. It will begin accepting applications from developers for project funding in November.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We need to think globally about new ideas and options, hence I look forward to working closely with our partners to maximize the positive impact this initiative can bring to Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; added Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEB-5 regional centers are designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to sponsor capital investment programs funded by foreign investors. The IA center is one of just two government-led EB-5 regional centers in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":108,"title":"Honeywell Software Development Center to Create More Than 800 Jobs","promo_title":"Honeywell Software Development Center to Create More Than 800 Jobs","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":340,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-new-jobs-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":76037,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:23.068-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:23.215-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:09.361-05:00","filename_hash":"new-honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-new-jobs-in-atlanta-featured_RJq8XPl.jpg","width":460,"height":345},"filename":"honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1TTzAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:08.314-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:08.314-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Honeywell will establish a new first-of-its-kind software development center and establish the company\u0026rsquo;s home and building technologies headquarters in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal joined representatives from Honeywell, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Tech for a press conference to announce that Honeywell will establish a new first-of-its-kind software development center and establish the company\u0026rsquo;s home and building technologies headquarters operation in Atlanta. This project will generate more than 800 new full-time positions and a $19 million investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased to welcome Honeywell to the City of Atlanta, where the company will join a strong network of Fortune 500 companies and tap into a thriving technology sector in Midtown,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta continues to build on its strong momentum in attracting global companies looking for important assets such as skilled technology professionals, a connected business community and unparalleled access to the global economy through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell\u0026rsquo;s new Georgia operation will serve as a development center for software and technologies ranging across the company\u0026rsquo;s three divisions: Honeywell Aerospace, Performance Materials and Technologies; Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions. With this venture, Honeywell plans to create 733 full time software engineering and related positions. The home and building technologies segment headquarters will make up the remaining 100 jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell is the third major company this year to announce plans to build a digital facility in the City of Atlanta. GE Digital and Keysight Technologies revealed their plans to locate digital technology facilities in the city that will create new jobs. The availability of top talent, access to Georgia\u0026rsquo;s research universities and the city\u0026rsquo;s pro-business environment are some of the reasons why technology companies are selecting Atlanta to grow their digital business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":113,"title":"Façade Improvement Grants Underwrite Openings of Trendsetter Restaurants","promo_title":"Façade Improvement Grants Underwrite Openings of Trendsetter Restaurants","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":345,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":95006,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:52:37.411-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:52:37.580-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.843-05:00","filename_hash":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants-featured_xD2n9nJ.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6yBoqw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.223-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.223-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Both Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo and Georgia Beer Garden received Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grants (DFIGs) from Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe imminent opening of two of the most anticipated new restaurants to come to Atlanta this year \u0026ndash; Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo and Georgia Beer Garden \u0026ndash; is being made possible by Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grants (DFIGs) issued to both projects by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Beer Garden received a $233,000 DFIG for the renovation of its building at 420 Edgewood, while Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo is leasing space in 381 Edgewood, which obtained a $111,000 DFIG. The grants were issued through IA\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCaf\u0026eacute; + Velo is a one-of-its-kind space \u0026ndash; a caf\u0026eacute; and bike rental shop with a large patio and rooftop dining deck that will host morning yoga and a mini croquet course.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Beer Garden will serve only beers from Georgia breweries (24 of them on tap) to go with a Southern-style menu that features a German influence \u0026ndash; think the likes of country chicken and biscuits with schnitzel. The third floor of the space will become a sports bar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to these two buildings, 145 Auburn, which houses Condessa Coffee and Arden\u0026rsquo;s Garden, and 339-347 Edgewood, where Uptop Lounge and the recently announced Hungry Ghost, an Asian street food concept from the owners of Poor Calvin\u0026rsquo;s, are recipients of DFIGs from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":106,"title":"Invest Atlanta Shines at BronzeLens Film Festival","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Shines at BronzeLens Film Festival","published_date":"2016-09-13","featured_image":{"id":338,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":55996,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:40:39.050-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:40:39.180-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:42.189-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival-featured_XJ5Y7yg.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9Lit6g","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:41.418-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:41.418-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Several staffers from Invest Atlanta participated in a a panel discussion a the Seventh Annual BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeveral staffers from Invest Atlanta had their time in the spotlight when they sat on a panel during the Seventh Annual BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta held Aug. 25 \u0026ndash; 28, 2016.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BronzeLens Film Festival, founded in 2009, works very hard to bring national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color. Every fall, film lovers, actors and filmmakers gather in Atlanta to share a creative platform of education, entertainment and empowerment discussions related to film, as well as television, and the production of both.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe topic the Invest Atlanta group presented discussed finding funding for entertainment businesses and projects, and housing opportunities available to entertainment professionals in Atlanta. The panelists included Kevin Johnson, senior vice president of Economic Development, Anita Allgood, homeownership manager, and Cynthia Freeman, small business loan specialist. Filling the seat as moderator was Kent Spencer, business expansion and retention manager.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event was an important moment for Invest Atlanta, allowing IA to engage one-on-one with individuals in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing entertainment industry and discuss the many different opportunities to partner with film and entertainment professionals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":104,"title":"Pop-Culture Behemoth Dragon Con Marks 30th Anniversary in Atlanta","promo_title":"Pop-Culture Behemoth Dragon Con Marks 30th Anniversary in Atlanta","published_date":"2016-09-06","featured_image":{"id":333,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":86900,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:37:26.670-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:37:26.817-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:14.233-05:00","filename_hash":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta-featured_6aNEkbl.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GBarAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:13.821-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:13.821-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A record crowd of 77,000 people descended on Downtown and surrounding areas over Labor Day weekend for Dragon Con.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA record crowd of 77,000 people descended on Downtown and surrounding areas over Labor Day weekend for the 30th annual incarnation of Dragon Con, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s premier pop-culture conferences and an event that directly contributed $67 million to the Atlanta economy in 2015.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDragon Con has become an international mecca for science fiction, comics and gaming enthusiasts, and has produced a spectacular display of costuming by its fans that becomes more inventive and stunning with each passing year. The most visible event of Dragon Con, the annual parade, draws more marchers and observers than any other parade in Atlanta. Many of the world\u0026rsquo;s most celebrated authors, actors and rock n\u0026rsquo; roll bands have appeared or performed at Dragon Con.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Dragon Con is a celebration of everything people love, a place where you can be who you want to be, see old friends and meet new ones,\u0026rdquo; said Dan Carroll, Dragon Con\u0026rsquo;s spokesman.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year\u0026rsquo;s record-setting attendance represents a nearly 25 percent increase in the last three years and is a far cry from the 1,200 participants who came to the inaugural event in Atlanta. Fans came from around the world and all 50 states, with this year\u0026rsquo;s convention attracting people from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, and Fiji. And for the first time, the Dragon Con parade was broadcast live on local television, taking Dragon Con to homes throughout Atlanta who couldn\u0026rsquo;t make it in person.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are welcoming the second generation of fans with more and more families making Dragon Con part of their annual traditions,\u0026rdquo; added Carroll.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDragon Con is spread across five host hotels and two Americas Mart buildings, with fans staying at some two dozen more overflow hotels throughout the city. The scope of Dragon Con, and the success it has enjoyed, has been a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ability to smoothly and efficiently host mega-events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":34,"title":"Invest Atlanta Conducts Outreach to Castleberry Hill Business Owners","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Conducts Outreach to Castleberry Hill Business Owners","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":241,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-hits-the-streets-with-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners-featured__1_.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":82915,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:00:07.750-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:00:07.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.768-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-hits-the-streets-with-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners-featured__1__jpvjPbn.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-conducts-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-V506g","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.297-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.297-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Kent Spencer of our Business Retention and Expansion team briefed members of the Castleberry Hill Business Association on IA programs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKent Spencer of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention \u0026amp; Expansion team recently briefed members of the Castleberry Hill Business Association on IA programs and resources that can help meet the needs of the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s business owners. Among other things, Spencer told the audience about IA loan opportunities and a retail impact study of the area that Invest Atlanta could provide, as well as a rundown on the planned expansion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing Spencer\u0026rsquo;s presentation, he and the attendees conducted a spirited discussion about the community\u0026rsquo;s needs and how Invest Atlanta can support them. The BRE team also is holding one-on-one follow-up meetings with businesses who attended the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":49,"title":"NerdWallet Names Atlanta the Most Mobile-Friendly City in the U.S.","promo_title":"NerdWallet Names Atlanta the Most Mobile-Friendly City in the U.S.","published_date":"2016-06-21","featured_image":{"id":258,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":88627,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:39:32.933-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:39:33.085-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:31.087-05:00","filename_hash":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us-featured_bznObag.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"61Iukw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:30.667-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:30.667-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n NerdWallet, a leading American personal finance website, has named Atlanta the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNerdWallet, perhaps the leading American personal finance website, has named Atlanta the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter examining mobile phone usage in the 50 largest U.S. cities on the basis of factors such as best connection and in-person customer service, carrier network performance and coverage, taxes and fees, and even crime risk, NerdWallet proclaimed Atlanta to be the best of the best.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia\u0026rsquo;s largest city and capital tops the list when it comes to mobile friendliness,\u0026rdquo; stated NerdWallet. \u0026ldquo;The city ranked near the top in all of our metrics \u0026mdash; it was No. 2 in carrier network coverage among all 50 cities we measured, and third for customer service, with 8.40 mobile phone stores for every 10,000 residents. It also has the second-lowest wireless tax rate \u0026mdash; federal, state and local taxes combined \u0026mdash; of the top 10 cities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta had upload and download speeds of 8.35 and 13.12 MBPS, 89 percent coverage above the national average and eight mobile phone stores for every 10,000 residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRounding out the top list of the top 10 mobile-friendly cities, in order, were San Diego, Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Long Beach, California, San Francisco, Virginia Beach and Austin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been intimately involved in supporting start up and established companies and technology innovators that have thrived in Atlanta because of the strong mobile industry presence here. Co-working centers such as Atlanta Tech Village, Flatiron City and Switchyards that are leading-edge users of mobile technology have made Atlanta an epicenter of global brands.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePacesetters such as Parkmobile, the leading provider of on-demand and prepaid mobile payments for on- and offsite parking, typify the kind of mobile-savvy businesses that have made Atlanta ground zero for their operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":52,"title":"New Joint Venture to Increase Skills, Wages for H\u0026F Bread Company Employees","promo_title":"Joint Venture to Increase Skills, Wages for H\u0026F Bread Employees","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":261,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-h-and-f-bread-company-employees-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":136052,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:45:40.722-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:45:40.859-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:33.449-05:00","filename_hash":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-h-and-f-bread-company-employees-featured_Pg7zk1K.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-hf-bread-company-employees","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A-JH-g","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:32.914-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:32.914-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta established a joint venture between the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and H\u0026amp;F Bread for a job training program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs a catalyst for growth, Invest Atlanta has established a joint venture between the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and H\u0026amp;F Bread Company for a job creation and training program. Under this agreement, AWDA and H\u0026amp;F will fund training for H\u0026amp;F employees in the company\u0026rsquo;s new processes for making high-quality, artisanal bread. In addition, AWDA will assist in recruiting new employees for H\u0026amp;F\u0026rsquo;s growing operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe six-month training program, intended for new and existing H\u0026amp;F employees, begins this month and will see participating employees obtain progressively higher wages as they increase their skills and mastery of advanced baking equipment. The current approximate wage scale of $10 to $12 per hour will grow to roughly $18 per hour.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAWDA\u0026rsquo;s training partnership coincides with H\u0026amp;F\u0026rsquo;s move from its present Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard location in northwest Atlanta to a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site on Marietta Street. H\u0026amp;F, which serves customers from Maine to the West Coast, will open its new 80,000 square foot facility to the public and provide a glass viewing area where visitors can see how its bread items are made.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAWDA, a key partner of Invest Atlanta, is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce training and recruitment agency, furnishing job seekers with resources to obtain sustainable employment and helping businesses meet their labor training, development and staffing needs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":158,"title":"Invest Atlanta Demonstrates Financial Reporting Excellence","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Demonstrates Financial Reporting Excellence","published_date":"2016-03-15","featured_image":{"id":389,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":118371,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-28T13:40:43.701-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-28T13:40:43.859-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:53:27.855-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence-featured_7Jm5wR7.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"094swQ","created_at":"2017-12-28T14:11:42.284-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:53:26.840-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eInvest Atlanta has received another clean audit bill of health for each of the authority\u0026#39;s 18 units.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has received another clean audit bill of health for each of the 18 units for which Invest Atlanta has a reporting responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s extremely rare, if not unique, for an organization to receive that many clean audit reports, with no findings or significant issues. Findings traditionally indicate breakdowns in internal controls or reporting irregularities and inaccuracies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is responsible for reporting the finances of Invest Atlanta, the Downtown Development Authority, the Urban Residential Financial Authority, Atlanta Housing Opportunity, Inc., Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., the Atlanta BeltLine, Princeton Lakes, Eastside, and Perry Bolton TADs (Tax Allocation Districts), the Atlanta Development Authority/Clark Atlanta University partnership, and GP URFA Sexton LP.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial responsiblities of Invest Atlanta are immense, and include the accurate accounting for and presentation of more than 18,000 transactions across 45 entities. This covers well known transactions such as the issuance and proper accounting for more than $200 million in bonds for the Atlanta Falcons new Mercedes- Benz Stadium. Moreover, the Finance division works collaboratively with five independent entities and three different audit firms to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of its results.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Finance Division has done all of this flawlessly, met continuing bondholder update requirements for FY 2015, and delivered a clean audit opinion for two consecutive years, even though it has sustained a two-thirds reduction in staff (currently at four members), since the FY 2013 audit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs if that weren\u0026rsquo;t enough, Invest Atlanta operated in a fiscally responsible state for the whole of FY 2015, since it never draw on its line of credit during that time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"}]}
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